There are various types of obsidian rock that people have coined names for based on their colors and appearance. Black and gray is the most common type of color for this rock. In some rare cases obsidian can have the color of red, orange, yellow or even blue. Obsidian color is black, brown, lighter browns, and green. Obsidian has the following properties: Mohs Scale of Hardness: 5 to 6 Specific Gravity: 2.4 Fracture: Conchoidal Luster: Vitreous Crystal System: None Obsidian Chemical Formula: SiO 2MgOFe 3O 4 The Colors of Obsidian It has be found that obsidian from one location had travelled over thousands of miles to end up at another location. It has been historically documented that some obsidian was traded to very distant tribes. With all the uses of obsidian, including the use of jewelry, the trade of obsidian could be thought of as one of the first businesses in America. The trade of obsidian among the natives in America was fairly common. With the potential sharpness of obsidian, many still today like to carve out knives, axes, and other objects with the rock. Spear heads, arrow heads, and many other tools were carved out from the rock to help in uses of day to day survival. Native Americans found that obsidians ability to chip off into sharp edges was quite useful. When obsidian is used for decoration it can take many shapes such as carved out figurines, bookends, and just cut out into cabochons for display. The igneous rock can be cut into shapes and used in earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and pendants. Obsidian is used as decoration and jewelry. This is due to years of erosion from earthly elements as the rocks will roll down hills and rivers. Although being a relatively hard type of rock, it is quite brittle and can fracture into sharp edged pieces.Īdditionally, this rock can be found quite commonly in roundish forms often called Apache tears. Obsidian has a hardness of 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Obsidian is unique and there are really no obsidian types of rocks that equal it.
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