Gemstones or fabulous rocks are one of the many stylish (and supernatural) things we can add to our fashion trends. Aside from the fact that they are quite glamorous to look at, these gemstones provide spiritual healing and satisfaction for those who are using them. If you browse around the internet or maybe a couple of physical stores in malls and small boutiques, you can see plenty of these stones lined up and promoted by spiritual guides and experts. One of the stones that you would probably love to add to your style is black obsidian, the dark majestic beauty of all gemstones.
Black obsidian is a dark and rough glass-like rock that forms after volcanic lava cools quickly. It is very hard when you get to touch it, and although it has some smooth areas, you have to be wary of its edges because they tend to be very sharp. Because of these qualities, black obsidian is often used as tools and weapons back in the old days (e.g. Macuahuitl was a weapon made of wood and obsidians), and it is said that in some cases, the rock is actually sharper than a metal blade. Of course, we won’t be talking about black obsidian as a weapon today, and we are going to focus on its traits and other qualities as a magnificent gemstone.
Meaning
Black obsidian is a very powerful stone with a mysterious yet cleansing aura. It is commonly used for psychic protection, and it has the capacity to remove all the psychic smog that has been encapsulating its owner for quite some time. It also has powerful properties that can shield its user from negative auras and spirits. Finally, when you consider having this stone in hand, you may actually boost your precognition and gain the gift or ability of prophecy.
If you are having some unpleasant dealings with some people, getting black obsidian could help you with this matter. Since the stone breaks you away from the negative elements, it will give you the power to cut ties and other negative attachments from those people who have been ruining your life. Also, since it is made primarily of water, fire, and earth, it can be an excellent spiritual and healing aid because it will lead you back to Mother Earth.
Finally, black obsidian releases you from stress and assists you in handling any form of disharmony in your life. Every time you are going to work, you cannot avoid stressful events and other mind-boggling scenarios. These will continue to build up and ruin your spiritual clarity with each day that passes. For you to completely get rid of them, keep this black stone with you at all times, and you will be free of anger, resentment, and other negative emotions or feelings you may accumulate, plus, add the fact that you can resist or block them thanks to this gemstone’s powers.
Overall, the stone is very powerful and it does not have any limitations whatsoever. The black obsidian’s power is to bring out everything that you have been ignoring or hiding from. Whenever you accept these issues and you decide to work on them, the stone is the one that will drive you to apply the changes you want to achieve. It is the stone of truth, so you have to be careful and tough enough to handle the energy it emits.
Properties
Much like any other gemstone out there, black obsidian has two sets of properties: physical and metaphysical. They are the features that form the gemstone into becoming a magnificent element of this earth. Without these properties, black obsidian will lose its meaning, and people will not get to understand or use it properly in their endeavors. For you to know more about these traits, let us take a look at the two sets individually.
Physical Properties
As mentioned previously in this article, black obsidian is a dark stone that has shiny portions depending on the angle at which the light will hit it. It has a smooth texture if touched on the right spot, and overall you will feel that it is quite rough on other aspects. Whenever you are holding one of these, make sure that you are careful enough to avoid the edges. They are oddly shaped and are sharp enough to risk the possibility of unexpected cuts, so you might want to wear gloves whenever you are holding one.
Because the stone looks mysterious and dark, it may seem kind of unusual or “off” for you. With this aspect, you don’t have to worry about anything negative that might happen to you or the people close to you. Most experts and collectors sell black obsidian in a perfectly shaped manner, so you won’t even have to worry about further injuries that might occur. Aside from that, people often use this stone as a part of their jewelry these days. If you visit certain stores that specialize in this aspect, you will see some of these stones perfectly embedded into necklaces, bracelets, and other stylish paraphernalia.
Back in the day, black obsidian was used to create knives, arrows, and other forms of tools and weapons. Some historical reports even say that the stone was experimented with and used as a scalpel blade for surgery, which means it was really effective for physical uses. Aside from that, what’s so great about the durability and effectiveness of this stone is that they are actually sharper than metal blades in some cases. The physical strength of black obsidian promotes its metaphysical properties as well, so if you are going to judge it for its looks and physical features, get ready for the other things that may surprise you.
Metaphysical Properties
Black obsidian has numerous metaphysical properties that could be very beneficial for its owner. It has an intensely powerful energy that can draw you in quite effectively, and it does this in a gentle manner that you won’t even feel that you are sinking deeper into its aura than you actually thought. The stone is commonly used for protection, truth-telling, healing, and of course, feng shui.
One noteworthy factor when it comes to black obsidian is its powerful healing properties. In various cultures around the world, this gemstone is being used as polished mirrors or crystal balls to conduct deep healing activities. It is believed that with the help of black obsidian, a person becomes more focused, grounded, and clarified in the most practical manner possible. Most experts also believe that the stone promotes overpowering mental abilities such as heightened discernment and prophetic tendencies.
Aside from its amazing healing properties, black obsidian is commonly known as the “stone of truth” because of its ability to reveal mysteries. These mysteries are what we hold within our inner beings, and at the same time, the stone works on the world’s mysteries altogether. Also, aside from being a physical property, the black obsidian’s sharpness can also be counted as a metaphysical property. It is said that the stone has an overwhelming power to cut through lies, illusions, deception, and other negative aspects that may ruin your life. The stone’s black color perfectly portrays its power to reveal the darkness within and all around us, which is why this stone is supposed to be handled with care.
This dark stone, thanks to its powerful properties, can also protect you from a lot of negative elements that are going all around you. It has the ability to absorb all the bad energy that might enter your system, which is why some people wear this stone as a part of their everyday clothing. Aside from that, some even place black obsidian around their home for extra design elements. By doing this, they ensure the protection and nurturing of the people around their house without even exerting that much effort.
Finally, thanks to the stone’s powerful combined properties, you can use it for feng shui purposes. It is believed that the black obsidian works as an amazing cure in the north Bagua area (this is the area that focuses on the energy of an individual person’s career and life path). Since the stone is primarily made of water, fire, and earth, it also provides the energy that envelopes the feng shui element of water that is mostly needed in the northern area.
This makes it an excellent source of protection, and it also clears the obstacles that commonly obstruct our path in life. If you want to use this stone for feng shui purposes, you can take a bowl and fill it with black obsidian rocks that are tumbled, or you can get a small sphere that is primarily made of black obsidian itself.
Where to Buy Black Obsidian?
Usually Etsy or Amazon is a good idea. Etsy is the leading online global marketplace of handmade, vintage, and creative goods. Amazon is one of the largest global online marketplaces. Both of them are reliable and easy to find your favorite items there.
Using Black Obsidian for Jewelry
People have their own preferences when they use black obsidian for jewelry. Some prefer the easy way and make bracelets out of this dark stone, and some go the other way and make necklaces that will complete their look. Generally, we often get black obsidian as an additional accessory for our everyday lives, or we can use it to decorate all the rooms inside our house. What matters the most is that you will be using them to promote their energy and not negate them, especially since that might bring a lot of complications in the long run.
If you are buying black obsidian, the first thing you can do is to get their version of protection stones. These are shaped and polished stones that you can carry around in your bags or pockets so that you will be protected from negative energies every time you are outside. Just remember to cleanse these stones after using them, since their strength will only prove to be effective if they are well-maintained all the time. Aside from that, they are actually very powerful stones, so mishandling them would be a very wrong idea for you and the people around you.
If you are not a fan of carrying stones around all the time, you can get black obsidian reshaped to fit as your jewelry. Some people have them finished as pendants so that they can wear them as necklaces whenever they want. Depending on the obsidian’s durability, you can use it for making your own jewelry as much as you want. It is easy to scratch (thanks to its 5.5 hardness ratio), so be careful that you will not accidentally break it when it is thin enough.
Aside from being used in pendants, the safest options to use black obsidian are earrings and brooches. They are small, they don’t absorb that much impact, and they are quite easy to maintain. Instead of lugging around a bracelet filled with black obsidian beads, you can avoid their destruction by keeping them close to you. Obsidian earrings will go perfectly with almost any outfit you have (since they are black), and obsidian brooches will make your classy dresses much more sophisticated thanks to their sleek and fabulous features.
Finally, if you are really a fan of bracelets and you want to get one with the power of black obsidian within it, then you can get obsidian beads for this amazing plan of yours. Most of the time, black obsidian is used for feng shui, so if you want to have a combined power within the bracelet you will wear, you could consider getting beads with feng shui imprints on them, such as Pixiu bracelets. These are quite effective as far as their reviews have mentioned, and the combined powers of the two elements could make your life a lot more secure and protected compared to being naked in a spiritual manner.
Where Does Black Obsidian Come From?
Black obsidian is the rock formed by lava when it is cooled down or when it gets in contact with water. It forms whenever the lava cools down quickly and apparently does not have enough time to turn into glass (although it is believed to be a form of volcanic glass). There are plenty of volcanoes around the world, so if you are curious as to where these things come from, you can pretty much expect that they originated from these areas.
How Much Is Black Obsidian Worth?
Much like any other gemstone in the market, the price of black obsidian depends on its condition (per piece), size, color, and of course, the marketplace that offers the stone itself. When it comes to setting the price of these stones, there is no fixed formula or “actual pricing”, and it usually depends on where the black obsidian is being sold.
In some cases, a huge chunk of black obsidian can be sold for as low as $2, and these transactions often occur at conventions or when you are striking a deal with a collector. For other circumstances, if you are planning to purchase this from high-quality shops or a mineral show in a prestigious area, then the black obsidian may be worth $40 or more, depending on its seller.
For some experts and collectors, the value of unprocessed black obsidian could be price tagged for at least $5-10 per kilogram. However, if it is already processed and you are willing to buy it from a known area (let’s say, New York, for instance), you can get the black obsidian for at least $13.85 a pound. Also, if you are planning to buy these rocks online, you can get rough pieces of them from eBay (2lbs for $23.99) and Amazon (1/2lbs for $14.99).
How to Use Black Obsidian?
The black obsidian’s vibration could take affect the chakra of your third eye, and it is quite strong enough to assist you in receiving the answers to long-term questions. This factor may also be used when it comes to healing issues within the ancestral line of your family. It could provide support when you are dealing with issues concerning the wrong usage of power in the past, which is why if you are struggling with these concerns, getting a black obsidian stone is one of the perfect ways to resolve them. For you to get through with this, all you need to do is to place a piece of the black obsidian on your third eye and ask it for assistance or support.
Aside from settling past nuisances, this dark stone is also often used to let you communicate with spirits. Some experts say that when you look at the reflective side of a black obsidian piece, you will see the spirit of your loved one trying to contact you. This may help you get the answers you have been looking for a long time, and you will have peace whenever you get them. The stone’s energy pushes you to ask questions that you have been dreading for a long time, so you will most likely get clear answers when it comes to finances, relationships, health issues, or career choices.
Finally, black obsidian is also often used as an effective aid to help you release the negative energies you accumulate in your daily life. Cleaning your auric field is an essential part when it comes to maintaining balance within your body because it cleanses your emotional, physical, and spiritual health. With the help of this stone, you will be able to do just that, and aside from removing all the negative energies within you, the black obsidian will also close up your aura so you will never have to deal with those problems again (so long as you have the stone within your reach).
How to Cleanse Black Obsidian?
There are many suggested ways you can clean and energize crystals like black obsidian, but by the end of it, it all comes down to you. Some prefer to clean their crystals with water, salts, and sunshine, but these methods may be harsh if mishandled, especially since gemstones are quite sensitive. Aside from that, the stones can feel if you are unamused when you are cleaning them. Make sure that you are doing this with a free mind and a calm spirit so that you will enjoy the process as much as you can.
If you want to ensure proper cleansing for your black obsidian, you can use the power of moonlight (crystals are fond of lunar energy), rice (use brown rice for most effective results, then throw it out after usage), smudging (use any kind of incense, preferably White Sage or Paolo Santo), and sound (use singing pyramids or bowls, tuning forks, tingsha bells, or maybe some clearing videos you can find on YouTube).
Make sure that after you are done cleaning your black obsidian, you will avoid placing it in places where negative energies are located. The stone may absorb these energies, and you will have to do the whole process all over again. Also, do not place it inside your bedroom, since the stone’s vibration is strong enough to disrupt your sleeping patterns.
Compared to Similar Gemstones
Black Obsidian vs. Black Tourmaline
Best Combinations With Black Obsidian
There are plenty of amazing combinations you can try out there, and rest assured, you will find them and be curious about them in the long run. However, if you are just starting to use black obsidian and you are planning to combine other stones with it, then here are two of the best combinations you could use.
The first one is the Obsidian and Sandstone Crystal Combination. This combination will help awaken your root chakra, grounding you to the earth while the sandstone awakens your life force. The second one is the Black Obsidian, Hematite, and Garnet Crystal Combination. This combo is good enough to strengthen your aura and energy while pushing away and breaking the negative energies you might encounter.
Final Words
Black obsidian is one of the best gemstones you can add to your collection. Thanks to its strong vibration and qualities, you will get to secure the balance of your life no matter what happens. Make sure that you will handle it with care, and be careful not to mishandle it. Remember that it is your friend, treat it with respect, and you will never encounter any problem with it in the long run.
