Description

Obsidian – Snowflake Tumbled Stone

All Obsidian varieties have an amorphous crystal system and are in the mineral class of oxide. Snowflake Obsidian is a black, opaque stone with gray to white distinct markings. The beautiful patterns of snowflakes that stand out of its black background are inclusions of gray feldspar and it is found in Utah.

Obsidian is formed volcanically when lava that is rich in silicic acid has been cooled extremely rapidly. The lava hardened so quickly that no crystalline structures were able to form. The result was an amorphous, solidified, molten mass that contained large amounts of minerals, water and gas inclusions. When the Obsidian began to finally crystalize the feldspar became more apparent. Left untouched, this process would continue until it is completely transformed into all feldspar.