Ice Obsidian
Volcanic & Glassy Family
Ice obsidian is a catalogue name for translucent gray obsidian, not a separate mineral species. Obsidian is silica-rich volcanic glass formed when viscous lava cools so quickly that little crystal growth can occur.
Identity
- Material or variety
- Obsidian
- Scientific or material identity
- Natural volcanic glass
- Classification
- Natural glass
- Composition or formula
- Silica-rich natural glass; composition varies
- Crystal system or structure
- Non-crystalline (amorphous)
- Geological or manufacturing origin
- Forms in igneous rock or volcanic material.
- Mohs hardness
- 5 to 5.5
- Specific gravity
- 2.3 to 2.6
Origins
Iceland · Mexico · USA
Appearance & optical properties
translucent smoky gray volcanic glass.
History & discovery
The name obsidian traces to Pliny the Elder's account of a volcanic glass associated with a Roman explorer named Obsidius. People valued obsidian long before written history because controlled flaking produced exceptionally sharp cutting edges; it was also polished into early mirrors.
Uses & care
- Common uses
- Obsidian is shaped into jewelry and ornaments. Archaeological examples include blades, arrowheads, piercing tools, and polished mirrors.
Jewellery
5 pieces of Ice Obsidian jewellery. Learners earn each one in DigMyGem by learning words; until then it shows as a silhouette.
Glacier Pendant
Pendant
A long dagger of pale grey ice obsidian hangs from a platinum chain, its edges frosted and almost transparent.
Frostspear Earrings
Earrings
Two slender icicle shards of ice obsidian swing from silver hooks, catching white light at their tips.
Winter Crown
Crown
Pale spear-like stones of ice obsidian stand in a rim of white gold, like a crown of frozen rain.
Frozen Lake Brooch
Brooch
An imagined brooch of ice obsidian, a clear volcanic glass with smoky swirls, cut like a pane of lake ice.
Frost Queen's Necklace
Necklace
An imagined platinum necklace of icicle drops cut from clear ice obsidian, the pale glass of the volcano.