# Obsidian

Obsidian is a shiny black rock that forms from cooled lava. It looks like glass and can be very smooth!

- **Category:** [Mineral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mineral)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Also known as:** Natural Glass, Volcanic Glass

![Obsidian](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424313/objects/5386.jpg)

## Appearance

The Obsidian is a natural volcanic glass, typically deep black, but can also be brown, green, or red. It has a distinctive glassy luster and often breaks with incredibly sharp, curved edges. Some types display beautiful iridescent "rainbow" sheens.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Ancient doctors used obsidian blades for precise surgery thousands of years ago!
- Because it's so smooth, ancient people polished obsidian to make some of the first mirrors!
- It forms so fast from lava, it doesn't even have time to grow crystals like other rocks.
- Obsidian can be found in many places, including the bottom of oceans!

## Special abilities

- **Super Sharpness:** Obsidian has a conchoidal fracture that allows it to break into edges sharper than surgical steel.
- **Lava Lens:** Obsidian forms when lava cools incredibly fast, preventing crystal growth and creating a smooth, natural glass.
- **Rainbow Glimmer:** Tiny bubbles or mineral inclusions in some obsidian scatter light, creating stunning rainbow or snowflake patterns.

## Measurements & details

- **Color Range:** black, brown, green, red, rainbow iridescence
- **Hardness:** 5
- **Luster:** vitreous
- **Specific Gravity:** 2.5

## Traits

- [Igneous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/igneous): Igneous rocks are formed from the cooling and solidification of molten rock (magma or lava).
- [Vitreous Luster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/vitreous-luster): Vitreous luster describes a mineral's appearance when reflecting light, resembling glass, often translucent or transparent.
- [Natural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/natural): Natural refers to organisms, materials, or phenomena existing or produced by nature, not artificially created.

## Collections

- [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals)
- [Minerals & Rocks](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals-and-rocks)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Handle gently and avoid sharp edges. Ask an adult before picking anything up.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Obsidian?

Compare crystal habit, luster, transparency, cleavage and surface texture. Minerals with different compositions can share almost the same color. Mineral Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What colors can Obsidian be?

black, brown, green, red, rainbow iridescence

### How hard is Obsidian?

5

### What kind of luster does Obsidian have?

vitreous

### What is Obsidian's specific gravity?

2.5

## More Mineral

- [Quartz Crystal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quartz-crystal)
- [Amethyst](https://www.snappit.app/explore/amethyst)
- [Rose Quartz](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-quartz)
- [Citrine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citrine)

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Source: [Obsidian: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/obsidian)