Jet black, sometimes shot with a gold or silver sheen, obsidian is a stone with real character, formed when lava cools in a flash. Our obsidian jewelry comes as bracelets, rings, necklaces and pendants, in black, golden or rainbow obsidian.
A stone born in a volcano
Obsidian isn't a crystal at all but natural volcanic glass: silica-rich lava that cooled too fast to crystallize. It's so smooth and glossy that the Aztecs polished it into mirrors. The name comes from Obsius, a Roman who, according to Pliny the Elder, brought some back from Ethiopia. Most obsidian comes from Mexico, the United States, Iceland, Armenia and Ecuador. Because it's glass, rinse it quickly, dry it and keep it safe from knocks.
Types of obsidian
Obsidian comes in several looks. Black obsidian, dense and glossy, is the classic. Golden obsidian shows a gold sheen as the light moves across it. Rainbow obsidian looks black in soft light, then glows with green and violet rings in direct light, like an eye opening inside the stone. Pick the one whose look you like best.
Obsidian, the grounding stone
Obsidian is one of the great stones of protection and grounding. It's worn to keep out the energies you'd rather leave at the door, and to stay honest with yourself. Many people keep a piece close to feel steady and settled.
Which obsidian piece to choose
An obsidian bracelet is the easiest way to wear it every day. If dark stones are your thing, see our onyx jewelry and black tourmaline jewelry too. Obsidian belongs with our protection and grounding pieces. Shopping for a man? See our men's obsidian bracelets.
To wear it as a pendant on a cord or as a string of beads, see our obsidian necklaces.
Read our full guide to obsidian.