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Snowflake Obsidian cabochons are black with snowflake shaped inclusions!
Our semiprecious gemstone Snowflake Obsidian is found near Sevier Lake in Millard County, Utah.
Obsidian is a natural volcanic glass. This glassy, lustrous mineral is found in lava flows. Obsidian is produced when lava cools very quickly. The lava cools so quickly that no crystals can form.
In Snowflake Obsidian, the inclusion of small, white, radially clustered crystals of cristobalite in the black glass produce a "snowflake" pattern, hence the name.
Obsidian was named after a Roman named Obsius.
Obsidian was important to many ancient cultures. It was one of the major barter materials, and has been used since prehistoric times for making tools, masks, weapons, mirrors and jewelry.
Because it can be fashioned into a sharp edge, it was often used in arrowheads, cutting tools, and even sacrificial knives used by the Aztecs.
Legends say wearing a Snowflake Obsidian cabochon provides strength in times of need.
Metaphysical Properties of Snowflake Obsidian: Snowflake Obsidian is believed to help one to make the best of a bad situation by clearing negative and self-defeating thoughts. It is also said that Snowflake Obsidian helps ground ones thinking and helps overcome feelings of poor me or victimization.
They have not been able to replicate the patterns of true Snowflake Obsidian, though. The grey Cristobalite inclusions in volcanic glass are random, splayed marks. The fakes have done a reasonably good job, but there are noticeable differences.
The fake cabochon has a few signs which may lead you to believe it is fake:
Clearer delineation between the ‘inclusions’ and the black ‘Obsidian’.
Less variety of swirling, tones, etc inside the ‘inclusions’.
No natural imperfections, such as the large brown flaw on the reverse of the genuine stone.
Smaller ‘inclusions’ than the genuine piece.
10 сен 2024
