Obsidian
Glassy Volcanic Glass Translucent 5-5.5
Uncommon-Rare
Volcanic Regions
Colors: Jet Black (Mahogany, Rainbow, gold, green)
Uses: Some ancient cultures used obsidian mirrors as a divinity tool because they look like crystal balls. Obsidian has been used across history to make weapons, implements, tools, ornaments, and mirrors. Because of its conchoidal fracture (smooth curved surfaces and sharp edges), the sharpest stone artifacts were fashioned from obsidian.
Properties: Still today, it is widely believed that the Obsidian is a protective stone that shields against negative energy. Given its sharpness, the stone is considered to pierce into darkness to reveal the truth itself.
Major Types of Volcanic Stones
Black Obsidian
Glassy Volcanic Glass Translucent 5-5.5
Common
Volcanic Regions
Colors: Black
Uses: One of the most popular uses of black obsidian is to create a shield of protection to ward off negative or harmful energies. Wearing black obsidian or carrying it with you can help to absorb negativity that you may encounter.
Properties: Obsidian is great for clearing any unwanted energy in your own aura or even your home. One way you can easily do this is by simply sweeping it over your body, passing a piece of obsidian over a particular chakra or your whole body, to help clear your field.
Snowflake Obsidian
Glassy Volcanic Glass Translucent 5-5.5
Rare
Historically Volcanic Regions
Colors: Black with White Frosty Spots
Uses: Snowflake Obsidian works to help balance, purify, and ground one's mind, body, and aura. This stone activates our root and third eye chakras, enhancing ones psychic abilities, especially that of past life recall. When meditating with this stone, one will have enhanced vision of previous lives.
Properties: A stone of purity, Snowflake Obsidian provides balance for body, mind and spirit. It helps you recognise and release “wrong thinking” and stressful mental patterns. Promotes dispassion and inner centring. Snowflake Obsidian empowers isolation and loneliness, aiding surrender in meditation.
Rhyolite
Speckled Volcanic Rock Opaque 6
Common-Very Rare
St. Andrew Strait in Papua New Guinea, Novarupta in Alaska, and Chaitén and Cordón Caullein Chile.
Colors: Red, Green, Brown, Grey or Pink with Speckles
Uses: Perceived as a balancing stone, rhyolite is often recommended to increase self-esteem, self-worth while helping to bring resolution to issues. It is stone that is thought to facilitate change, variety and progress while helping to deal calmly with challenges.
Properties: Furthermore, it is believed to enhance self-esteem, self worth, self respect and deepens the acceptance of our true self. It may help us to heal old emotional wounds and deal with challenging circumstances calmly and with inner strength.
Plum Blossom
Amygdaloidal Andesite Opaque 7
Uncommon
China, Madagascar, and South Africa
Colors: Black or White with Pink, Green, and/or Red Speckles
Uses: In lithotherapy, plum blossom is used against stress. It is a stone that is considered useful in the treatment of disorders of the reproductive system, helping with fertility problems and may also help muscle development.
Properties: It is a stone associated with the root chakras and the crown chakra, which reminds you that brings you a sense of security. Plum Jasper also banishes nightmares, helps you see things clearly and objectively, encourages faithfulness in relationships, and brings hope and peace.
*NOTE* Often referred to as Jade or Jasper, it is actually neither
