Obsidian
| Colour | Black |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 5–6 |
| Lustre | Vitreous |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Specific gravity | c. 2.4 |
What is Obsidian?
Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed when lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimal crystal growth. It is an igneous rock. Produced from felsic lava, obsidian is rich in the lighter elements such as silicon, oxygen, aluminium, sodium, and potassium. It is commonly found within the margins of rhyolitic lava flows known as obsidian flows. These flows have a high content of silica, giving them a high viscosity. The high viscosity inhibits the diffusion of atoms through the lava, which inhibits the first step (nucleation) in the formation of mineral crystals. Toget
How to identify Obsidian
- Lustre: Vitreous.
- Hardness: Mohs 5–6 — about as hard as a steel knife.
Obsidian value
Based on 100 recent eBay sold listings, a polished / carved Obsidian typically sells for $5–$9 (about $0.03–$0.08 per gram for raw material). After eBay fees a seller nets roughly $5 on a median piece.
| Recently sold | Weight | Sold | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 104G Natural Obsidian Stone Carved wolf-skull Quartz Crystal Carving Healing | 104 g | $9 | 2026-06-22 |
| 426G Natural Golden Sheen Eye Obsidian Quartz Hand Carved Heart-Shaped Crystal | 426 g | $6 | 2026-06-21 |
| 64.1G Natural Obsidian Stone Carved Merkaba Quartz Crystal Carving Healing | 64 g | $8 | 2026-06-21 |
| 62G Natural Obsidian Stone Carved Merkaba Quartz Crystal Carving Healing | 62 g | $4 | 2026-06-21 |
| 62G Natural Obsidian Stone Carved Merkaba Quartz Crystal Carving Healing | 62 g | $5 | 2026-06-21 |
| 7.04LB Natural obsidian obelisk point quartz crystal wand tower healing | 3193 g | $9 | 2026-06-21 |
Typical recently-sold prices, 2026-06. Condition, size and quality vary widely, so this is an estimate, not an appraisal. See current sold listings on eBay ↗. Full value guide · how we work this out.
