Is obsidian a semi precious or precious stone?

Answer 1

As others have said, obsidian (volcanic glass) is neither a semi precious nor a precious stone. However, it has been quite valuable, especially to primitive cultures, in which obsidian was used to produce sharp edge for cutting purposes, spear heads etc. In recent years, obsidian has had a minor resurgence, because minute flakes of obsidian can have an extremely sharp and strong edge, more suitable for making microscopic cuts than metal.

Answer 2

Obsidian is volcanic glass and, opposite to the different answer, is the comparable hardness as synthetic glass (Mohr hardness of seven). Obsidian could be considered as a semiprecious stone while that's worked for jewelry or reflects an unusual composition (alongside with snowflake). Jet is an extremely frustrating form of coal yet isn't any journey in hardness to obsidian. Jet in all probability has a hardness of two or 3. Neither jet or obsidian are all that consumer-friendly yet they at the instant are not uncommon.

Answer 3

Yes and no being volcanic silicate or glass quite common but a striated or striped variety called Tiger obsidian often used in jewellery and due to it's rarity could be called semi-precious

Answer 4

Obsidian is neither.
It is volcanic rock and very common in many areas of the world. I use it in flint napping. It breaks readily and the edges are very sharp as it is nothing more then glass in it's natural form.

Answer 5

I've never heard of anyone using obsidion in jewelery. It is actually very common, volcanic rock. Doesn't mean a person couldn't make jewelry out of it. The link below says they use it to make surgical blades. I have personally, been cut while messing around with the rocks, I think this would discourage someone from having jewelery made from it.

Answer 6

I found it listed with other such things as limestone, sandstone, pumice, granite, shale, etc.....
So, my guess is that it would be a semi-precious stone.
Hope this helps! :)

These are very informative sites:

http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vw_hyperexchange/obsidian.html

OR

http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow1/oct98/expert/obsidian.htm

Ok, this one has obsidean listed as a semi-precious stone.

http://www.semi-precious-stone.com/

Answer 7

Actually ive seen obsidion in alot of jewelry, its pretty common actually.... but its not precious or even semi-precious.... sorry

Answer 8

I would say no, its a fairly common volcanic rock. Yes its black and shiny but I do not believe it is rare enough to hold any great (or minor) value.

Answer 9

It isn't precious, its very common in volcanic areas.

Answer 10

Actually, obsidian is volcanic glass and it was used in hunting (Spearheads, knives,etc).