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SiO₂
Obsidian
A conchoidal fracture made blades before metal, volcanic glass at 5 to 5.5.
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5–5.5
- Crystal system
- amorphous
- Colour
- black
- Element
- fire
- Chakra (tradition)
- root
- Zodiac
- Scorpio, Sagittarius
- Month
- —
- Where the earth keeps it
- Mexico, Iceland, United States
What it actually is
Obsidian is SiO₂ before it is a story. The lattice is amorphous, Mohs 5–5.5, and the eye meets black.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in Mexico, Iceland, United States. A conchoidal fracture made blades before metal, volcanic glass at 5 to 5.5.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Obsidian to fire and to the root centre. The old site stood it near: Scorpio, Sagittarius.
How not to turn it to ash
Softer than a steel knife. No ultrasonic bath, no acid, no sudden heat. Dust wants a dry cloth.