We take a look into the history and myths behind obsidian meaning; a dark and mysterious gemstone formed from lava. Shop all obsidian jewellery.
Obsidian is a dark, glass-like volcanic rock that is formed by the rapid solidification of lava. The molten rock cools so quickly that atoms are unable to arrange themselves into a crystalline structure, so there is minimal crystal growth. It is hard and brittle, and therefore fractures easily with very sharp edges.
Black is the most common colour of obsidian, however it can also be found in brown, tan and green. Occasionally two colours of obsidian are swirled together in the same specimen; the most common combination of colours is black and brown and is called "mahogany obsidian". The rock is found in locations all over the world, however it is confined to areas that have experienced recent volcanic activity. Finding obsidian that is older than a few million years is extremely uncommon as the glassy rock is usually destroyed or severely altered by weathering, heat and other external forces.
Obsidian is used for ornamental purposes, as a gemstone used in jewellery and also as the blade on glass knives. Obsidian meaning is commonly linked to protection and shielding the wearer from negativity, and we look into this in more detail.
Throughout history there have been a range of myths and opinions on what the true obsidian meaning is and what it can bring to the wearer.
Black obsidian meaning is popularly associated with being a grounding stone that can provide an instant connection from the root chakra deep into Earth's core. Many people believe the stone can help cleanse and remove any negative energies from either a person or a particular environment.
In addition to protecting against negative energies, obsidian meaning is often believed to help draw out one's mental stress and tension, and instead bringing clarity and clearing any confusion. It stimulates growth on many levels; urging exploration of the unknown and opening new horizons to help one find who they truly are.
Significant deposits of obsidian are found in locations which have experienced rhyolitic eruptions, including: Argentina, Chile, Canada, Ecuador, Greece, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Russia and United States.
Some obsidian blades, as with any glass knife, can have a cutting edge many times sharper than high-quality steel surgical scalpels.