This comes with a price, and you can expect to fork out anywhere from $30 to $70 for a piece of natural blue obsidian that is palm-sized or smaller. At 30 angstroms – a unit of measurement equal to one hundred millionth of a centimeter – an obsidian scalpel can rival diamond in the fineness of its edge. Obsidian – a type of volcanic glass – can produce cutting edges many times finer than even the best steel scalpels. It is 3 times sharper than diamond and between 500-1000 times sharper than a razor or a surgeon’s steel blade resulting in easier incisions and fewer microscopic ragged tissue cuts. Surprisingly, the edge of a piece of obsidian is superior to that of a surgeon’s steel scalpel. Displaying brilliant colors and patterns, this stone can be worked into beautiful gems akin to Opals. What is the rarest type of obsidian?įire Obsidian is a rare form with an iridescent quality and is found in the Northwest of the U.S.A. What minerals are found in obsidian?Ībundant, microscopic crystals of minerals like magnetite, hornblende, pyroxene, plagioclase and biotite, combined with tiny fragments of rock, likely produce the jet-black varieties of obsidian. In the past it has been used for blades and heads of arrows, but beyond this it is a safe stone for the most part. The only potential danger that comes from this particular stone is in its rough form because it can have very sharp edges.
Is Obsidian Dangerous? While obsidian is powerful, it is not dangerous.