A Full Guide to Obsidian: Meaning,Properties & Benefits

What Is Obsidian?

Obsidian, a natural stone originating from swiftly cooled volcanic lava, boasts a naturally dark hue attributed to its magnesium and iron content.

As a variant of volcanic glass, it showcases a glossy texture and a vitreous sheen, yet it is also renowned for its brittleness.

Despite common misconceptions, obsidian is not a crystal but rather a glass-like igneous rock that solidified sans crystallization, rendering it a mineraloid crafted from natural glass. When fractured, obsidian typically forms sharp yet polished edges.

In ancient civilizations, obsidian's sharp edges rendered it invaluable as a weapon, frequently fashioned into knives and arrowheads for hunting purposes.

Today, this rock has garnered popularity as a gemstone for jewelry and artisanal crafts. Varieties boasting reflective properties are also crafted into exquisite glass mirrors.

Obsidian Benefits

The significance of obsidian and its role as a healing stone stem from its properties, which can impact our spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness. Obsidian boasts a diverse array of metaphysical advantages and is revered as a protective crystal in Feng Shui practices, often associated with the root Chakra.

1. Protect from Negative Energy:

Obsidian is prized for its protective qualities, shielding individuals from malevolent forces, ill fate, and adversity. It is also believed to offer defense against harmful electromagnetic frequencies emitted by electronic devices like phones and TVs. Additionally, it provides psychic protection, dispelling accumulated psychic disturbances resulting from stressful or traumatic experiences.

2. Keep you grounded:

Linked to the root chakra, obsidian fosters a sense of grounding, stability, and connection to the earth. This volcanic glass cultivates mindfulness, anchoring individuals amidst life's fluctuations.

3. Enhance Career and Business:

This dark stone augments the Feng Shui energy conducive to career success and business prosperity. Placing obsidian in homes or wearing it as a talisman invites good fortune and opens pathways to new opportunities.

4. Attract Wealth:

By bolstering career prospects, obsidian facilitates the accumulation of wealth. Its association with the water element promotes the smooth flow of financial energy in one's life, nourishing abundance and prosperity.

5. Boost Health:

Obsidian serves as a healing stone, addressing shadow aspects such as addiction, emotional barriers, and pessimistic thought patterns. Crystal healers utilize it to alleviate physical ailments related to the gallbladder, colon, and digestive system, harnessing its detoxifying properties to purge toxins from the body.

6. Fosters Relationship Harmony:

Lastly, obsidian fosters relationship harmony by illuminating inner truths. It facilitates introspection and self-acceptance, laying the groundwork for healthy interpersonal connections by fostering inner harmony.

Obsidian Properties

Being affiliated with the root chakra, obsidian fosters a sense of grounding and emotional security, providing stability on both physical and emotional levels.

Renowned for its protective attributes, obsidian effectively dispels negative energies and intrusive thoughts, creating a shield of positivity around the wearer.

Furthermore, obsidian excels in dissolving emotional barriers and past traumas, aiding in the healing process of shadow traits like addiction and excessive behaviors.

In terms of physical wellness, obsidian contributes to the healing of ailments associated with the gallbladder, colon, and digestive system. It alleviates symptoms of arthritis and constipation while facilitating detoxification of the body.

Is Obsidian Rare？

No, obsidian isn't a scarce commodity. In actuality, it stands as the most prevalent manifestation of natural glass, widely distributed in regions of frequent volcanic activity across the globe.

Obsidian deposits are abundant, spanning territories including Argentina, Canada, Chile, Guatemala, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, and the United States, among numerous others.

Nevertheless, certain variants of obsidian may prove more elusive to uncover. For example, pure black obsidian presents a rarity due to the prevalence of trace elements within volcanic formations, resulting in a spectrum of hues rather than uniform darkness. The most widespread variant is the fusion of black and brown, recognized as mahogany obsidian.

Similarly, iridescent iterations like fire obsidian, rainbow obsidian, and sheen obsidian are less frequently extracted from the earth's depths.

Is Obsidian Expensive?

Obsidian doesn't come with a hefty price tag. In fact, it ranks among the most budget-friendly gemstones available today.

Compared to other semi-precious stones, obsidian falls within the lower price bracket. It shares a similar cost range with gemstones like amethyst, black tourmaline, and citrine, all of which are known for their affordability.

How Much is Obsidian Worth?

The price of obsidian can range from as little as $2 to as high as $100.

Unlike precious gems, obsidian lacks a standardized market value. Its price fluctuates based on factors such as processing techniques.

For example, a raw obsidian stone might be priced at $5 to $10 per kilogram, while a meticulously polished and expertly cut obsidian, suitable for jewelry making, could exceed $20 in value.

The level of processing directly impacts the stone's price.

Is Obsidian Valuable?

Despite its generally low cost, obsidian holds significant value for crystal enthusiasts.

Though less durable compared to some gemstones, obsidian's glossy sheen makes it an aesthetically pleasing addition to any collection.

Beyond its visual appeal, obsidian earns its place as a prized stone due to its associated meanings.

Particularly renowned for its protective qualities, pure black obsidian is sought after by those aiming to shield themselves from negative energies. This includes defending against psychic attacks, toxic influences, and even harmful electromagnetic fields (EMFs).

Furthermore, as a healing stone, obsidian aids in the recovery from stressful or traumatic experiences. It achieves this by dissipating the energetic "smog" that can accumulate in one's aura.

Obsidian Birthstone and Zodiac Sign

Black Obsidian is associated with the zodiac sign Sagittarius. Represented by Archer, Sagittarius is the ninth astrological sign, governed by the element Fire and ruled by the planet Jupiter. Sagittarians are known for their kindness, frankness, generosity, and courage. They embody lofty aspirations and ideals, exuding positivity and possessing a big-hearted nature. Sagittarians enjoy traveling and are known for their impeccable sense of humor, which fosters strong relationships with friends and family.

Snowflake Obsidian, on the other hand, is considered the birthstone for Scorpio. Scorpios, born between October 23rd and November 21st, are passionate, loyal, and independent individuals. As a fire sign, Scorpios are energetic and driven, harnessing personal power to achieve their goals. Using Snowflake Obsidian can enhance these inherent qualities, empowering Scorpios to further excel in their endeavors.

Obsidian in Jewelry and Charms

Because of its neutral hue, obsidian serves as a superb gemstone suitable for individuals of any gender.

This versatile volcanic glass finds its way into various jewelry and artisan creations. While the black obsidian bracelet stands out as particularly favored, you'll also discover necklaces, earrings, rings, and even feng shui trees crafted from this stone.

The iridescent variations, when polished, similarly exhibit exceptional beauty and make for splendid gemstones.

As a healing crystal, obsidian boasts metaphysical properties that render it an exceptional protective talisman. In the realm of feng shui, it serves as a magnet for wealth and abundance, aligning with various other auspicious Chinese symbols of good fortune.

However, obsidian registers only a 5.5 on Mohs' scale of hardness, making it relatively soft in comparison to other stones.

Given its susceptibility to scratching and chipping, it's advisable to minimize impacts as much as possible to preserve its integrity.

How to Tell If Obsidian is Real

Distinguishing genuine obsidian from lookalike stones like jet and onyx, or even counterfeit materials like common glass, can be challenging. So, how can you differentiate between real obsidian and impostors?

Consider these key factors to enhance your ability to identify an authentic obsidian stone:

1. General Appearance: Authentic obsidian exhibits a glossy surface akin to glass, often appearing transparent when illuminated by light.

2. Color: Pure obsidian presents a deep jet-black hue. However, variations may feature reddish-brown tones, white or gray speckles, or bands of color.

3. Texture: True obsidian feels smooth to touch, lacking roughness or irregularities.

4. Price: Polished obsidian stones typically command prices exceeding $20. Beware of significantly lower price points, as they may indicate a fake gemstone.

How to Wear a Black Obsidian Bracelet

Black obsidian bracelets enjoy immense popularity due to their effortless style and timeless appeal.

Beyond mere fashion statements, these bracelets hold significant meaning for feng shui practitioners, serving as potent charms to attract wealth and protection.

To fully harness the benefits of a black obsidian bracelet, it's essential to understand how to wear it correctly.

Wearing a black obsidian bracelet can yield different effects based on the hand you choose:

• Worn on the left hand, it may attract wealth luck.

• Worn on the right hand, it could provide protection against negativity.

Traditional feng shui bracelet guidelines typically recommend wearing bracelets on the left hand, as it's associated with receiving energy, while the right hand is linked to projecting energy.

However, black obsidian bracelets are an exception to this rule. Given their unique properties, they can be worn on either hand with efficacy.

How to Cleanse Your Obsidian

Several methods exist for cleansing obsidian and revitalizing its vibrations.

The most prevalent approach involves smudging. To execute this technique, ignite the tip of a sage plant and allow the smoke to encircle the obsidian for approximately five minutes.

Alternatively, you can harness the purifying influence of moonlight or saltwater. In these methodologies, either expose the stone directly to moonlight or immerse it in saltwater for a few hours.

It's advisable to cleanse your obsidian at least once a month, or whenever it appears diminished in luster and weight.

Wrapping Up

Obsidian, though not technically a crystal but rather a volcanic glass, holds significant value for its protective and wealth-attracting attributes.

As a charm jewelry gem, obsidian offers profound meaning and metaphysical properties that bestow numerous benefits upon its wearers.

Whether seeking protection from negative energies, aiming for career success, desiring grounding, or delving into self-discovery, obsidian emerges as the ideal stone to accompany you on your journey.