igneous
Snowflake Obsidian
Volcanic Glass with Cristobalite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 5-5.5 on the Mohs scale, jet black color with white or grey radial snowflake patterns, vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure with conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness 5-5.5 on the Mohs scale, jet black color with white or grey radial snowflake patterns, vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure with conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed from rapidly cooling felsic lava where dissolved minerals crystallized into radial clusters of cristobalite within the glass matrix.
Uses & applications
Widely used in ornamental carvings, polished lapidary specimens, jewelry, and holistic crystal collections.
Geological facts
The snowflake patterns are known as spherulites, created by the partial crystallization of the silica-rich glass over long periods.
Field identification & locations
Identified instantly by its striking high-contrast black and white snowflake patterns; commonly found in volcanic regions worldwide including the USA, Mexico, and Iceland.
