Think you know obsidian? Think again. When most people think of obsidian, they envision a beautiful black stone, a spooky artifact, or perhaps even a dramatic fashion color. But behind its smooth, lustrous exterior, and intense blackness lies an incredible hidden history.
The Historical Significance of Obsidian
Obsidian is natural volcanic glass formed from quickly cooling magma. It is the stone of scientists, explorers, and boundary pushers of all kinds. The stone is named after a Roman explorer named Obsius, who first described it. However, obsidian's impact on the world dates back millennia to the last Ice Age. The trade in obsidian actually pushed the boundaries of civilization.
Properties and Uses of Obsidian
Let’s explore what makes obsidian so special. Obsidian is hard yet easy to carve. It can be easily sharpened and was historically transformed into tools such as arrowheads, scrapers, and blades. Notably, obsidian can maintain a sharp edge, making it a remarkable piece of technology for its time.
Global Trade and Obsidian's Unique Fingerprints
Global trade was extensive as far back as 12,000 years ago, and obsidian reveals these surprising ancient connections. This is due to each location where obsidian forms possessing a unique chemical fingerprint. Scientists have discovered ancient obsidian artifacts thousands of miles from their origin, demonstrating the scope of early trade routes.
Obsidian as a Protection Stone
In more recent history, over the last 3,000 years or so, obsidian has been celebrated as a protection stone, famously used by warriors and explorers alike.
Varieties and Colors of Obsidian
Here's another surprising fact about obsidian. It’s not always just black. Many varieties of obsidian feature beautiful streaks, gorgeous sheens, and intricate patterns. Some obsidian varieties, in fact, aren't black at all.
Black obsidian derives its deep coloring from magnetite, a magnetic iron oxide. The presence of other minerals contributes to stunning and diverse variations. Among them are: mahogany red, shades of blue, shades of green, spiderweb obsidian with spiderweb patterns, snowflake obsidian with white splotches, rainbow obsidian, silver obsidian, golden obsidian and many more.
Conclusion
Do you feel connected to explorers, searchers, scientists, or wish to push the boundaries in your own life? Mystery Control’s Golden Obsidian "Explorer" Charm Necklace could be your companion. Embrace the explorer within and push the boundaries of your world.
