Description
A dark, shiny glass formed in nature by the rapid cooling of lava. Obsidian is widely distributed and has been used since Paleolithic (before 3500 BCE) times for mirrors, weapons, tools, and jewelry. Sources of obsidian include Anatolia, Armenia, Ethiopia, Greece (Milos), Italy (Lipari, Eolie), Iceland, the U.S. (Wyoming), Mexico (Teotihuacan), Guatemala (Tikal), and Peru. Obsidian is often black in color but may also be red, brown or green. It produces conchoidal fractures when cleaved. Analysis of trace elements in obsidian pieces can be traced back to their original deposits. This has been used to evaluate early trading patterns.
Synonyms and Related Terms
volcanic glass; basalt glass; tachylite; perlite; calite; mountain mahogany (deep red obsidian); Apache tears (pebble-like nodules);obsidian snowflake (blackwith white inclusions); obsidiana (Esp., Port.); obsidienne (Fr.); Obsidian (Deut.); obsidiaan (Ned.)
Other Properties
Luster = vitreous Transparent to translucent
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Last updated on: 7/11/2009 5:12:27 PM
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