Blue Obsidian (Manmade)

Appearance, Uses and History

This material is sold as Blue Obsidian – however, it is a man made glass. It is not a volcanic glass.

In very rare circumstances, natural blue Obsidian is possible. It is essentially rainbow Obsidian cut in a certain way to maximise the colour. It is not transparent – that is purely a feature of the man made glass. Rainbow Obsidian is translucent to opaque.

It is important to make a note that ‘slag glass’ or ‘cullet glass’, an industrial byproduct, is sometimes sold as natural blue Obsidian too.

Please note, however, that this page refers to the synthetic ‘blue Obsidian’ which is used as a cheap decorative object – often sold carved or tumbled.

Locales

Arguably anywhere there is a glass factory, although I suspect the majority of this material comes from China.

Real blue Obsidian (or Obsidian with some blue areas or flash) may occur in very rare locales – Davis Creek, Lassen Creek, and the Tokachi area of Japan.

Mineralogy

Photos of ‘Blue Obsidian’ (Manmade)

Photos of Blue Obsidian (Potential natural pieces)

Photos of Blue ‘Obsidian’ (Blue slag/cullet glass)

Hazards and Warnings

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Translations

Further Reading / External Links