Obsidian

Basic Knowledge

Obsidian is a type of naturally occurring glass, produced from volcanoes when a fluid felsic lava cools rapidly and freezes without sufficient time for crystal growth, for example by flowing into a body of water. It consists mainly of SiO2 (silicon dioxide), 70% or more. Obsidian is mineral-like, but not a true mineral because it is not crystalline. Its composition is very similar to that of granite and rhyolite. It is sometimes classified as a mineraloid.

The color of obsidian varies depending on the presence of impurities. Iron and magnesium typically give the obsidian a dark green to brown to black color. The inclusion of small, white, radially clustered crystals of cristobalite in the black glass produce a blotchy or snowflake pattern (snowflake obsidian). It may contain patterns of gas bubbles remaining from the lava flow, aligned along layers created as the molten rock was flowing before being cooled. These bubbles can produce interesting effects such as a golden (sheen obsidian) or rainbow sheen (rainbow obsidian).

The mother of the Aztec creation story was called Coatlique (the Lady of the Skirt of Snakes). She was created in the image of the unknown, decorated with skulls, snakes, and lacerated hands. There are no cracks in her body and she is a perfect monolith (a totality of intensity and self-containment, yet her features were square and decapitated).

Coatlique was first impregnated by an obsidian knife and gave birth to Coyolxanuhqui, goddess of the moon, and to a group of male offspring, who became the stars. Aztec swords were made with rows of small obsidian teeth. They were murderous weapons for cutting an enemy. For a long time, historians have marveled at the amount of ceremonial self-mutilation the Aztecs underwent. Now we find that being cut with obsidian is less painful than you'd think, because it makes such a sharp edge.

So obsidian became woven into Aztec worship as well as Aztec function. What need could there be for a replacement material? The Aztecs didn't develop their use of metal because they couldn't see beyond obsidian.

Obsidian has been fashioned into knives and arrowheads since Paleolithic times, but Obsidian also polishes to a shiny mirror surface. This mirror surface has been attributed to many spiritual uses by ancient civilizations. Because of the shiny, mirror surface, Obsidian is attributed with the ability to reflect back to us our true selves--and in a less than subtle manner, revealing to us our flaws in no uncertain terms. All Obsidian is considered extremely protective and said to allow no negative energy or negative spirit to enter. In the Middle Ages it was thought to drive out demons.

Bardic Knowledge

DC	Things Known
10 -Common
20-Uncommon
30-Obscure
40-Very Obscure

Rare Uses and Items

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Gem Treasure Index