Snowflake obsidian is probably the most popular variation of this gem – especially in the jewelry industry. It is a volcanic glass and can easily stand out in the crowd due to the shades of gray and white. Practically, it looks like a snowflake – hence the name.
Despite its beautiful appearance, snowflake obsidian is quite affordable. It can draw attention right away. Apart from its uses in the jewelry field, it also has a bunch of metaphysical properties that will help whoever carries this gem.
To get the best benefit of snowflake obsidian, it is usually a good idea to wear it. The snowflake obsidian necklace is the most popular choice.
So, what else should you know about this stone? What makes it so special?
Understanding the Meaning of Snowflake Obsidian
Describing the meaning of snowflake obsidian can be a bit challenging because it goes in different directions. For example, the stone is often associated with purity. When it comes to its metaphysical properties, it is all about balance. The wearer will be able to achieve a balance between the spirit, mind and body. No matter how chilled or chaotic your lifestyle is, snowflake obsidian will put some balance into it.
The purity associated with snowflake obsidian may have multiple reasons. First, there is the formation process. After all, snowflake obsidian is a natural stone. Given its inexpensive profile, it is less likely to get lab-made anyway. There is, however, a slight chance to confuse it with other types of stones, which are similar in appearance.
Second, you have its snowflake resemblance. Think about the purest natural things in the world and the snowflake will inevitably kick in. It is clean, pure and almost perfect – there is literally nothing you would have to change. The white and gray patterns that resemble a snowflake make this stone one of the purest options on the market, whether you get it as a piece of jewelry or for its metaphysical properties.
Disclosing the Properties of Snowflake Obsidian
The properties of snowflake obsidian go in two different directions. First, you have aesthetic properties. Snowflake obsidian is a beautiful and common stone in jewelry. Second, you have metaphysical properties, which will help in a series of situations, as long as you wear this stone.
Physical Properties
The physical properties of snowflake obsidian make it easy to identify. At the same time, while it can be taken for other stones, its pattern is quite unique. Generally speaking, the stone is black. It has some white or light gray spots or patterns on it. They are similar to snowflakes. To help you understand better, imagine a black absorbent surface stained with a white liquid from a perfectly straight angle.
These patterns vary widely from one stone to another. You might be able to find a few snowflakes in perfect symmetry or you might find five random snowflakes in an unusual order. For this reason, snowflake obsidian jewelry pieces are rarely alike.
When it comes to more professional physical properties, you should know this stone has a Mohs hardness of around five, yet it can also go up to 5.5. It features a conchoidal fracture and a refractive index of anywhere between 1.45 and 1.55. Snowflake obsidian is usually opaque. There are, however, known cases of slightly transparent stones, but these situations are rare.
Just like other stones, when used in jewelry, snowflake obsidian is usually cut and polished.
Metaphysical Properties
A stone that defines purity, snowflake obsidian will put balance into your life. Your spirit, body and mind will work in a perfect combination. You can forget about the distractions and stress. Instead, you will focus much easier, but you will also keep centered, regardless of how problematic a particular situation might be.
On another note, snowflake obsidian is known to bring in a good attitude by removing negativity from your space.
The stone is volcanic. Although it looks like physical properties have no effects over metaphysical properties, this is only a misconception. The volcanic profile will help you understand emotions by taking them out. You can examine your emotional patterns in a more efficient manner. The stone will heal problematic patterns and promote a healthier lifestyle. The state of inner calmness is flawless and often associated with professional meditation.
Furthermore, snowflake obsidian is not all about your karma and inner peace, but also about your physical needs. Wearing snowflake obsidian as jewelry or keeping it around you will boost your vascular system, as well as the bone system. A healthy vascular system affects every single organ in the body. Besides, the stone is also associated with healthy and young skin.
As you can clearly see, snowflake obsidian is an overall protective gem. Mentally, it is used to clear the negative energy and release negative thoughts from your mind. Apart from the negativity in your environment, the stone also clears the bad parts of your inner self – from resentment and greed to anger and madness.
Given all these metaphysical properties, snowflake obsidian is most commonly used to heal your inner self and release the negative blockages of your energy. Compared to other similar stones, it works quite fast. Simply put, it puts everything on the table – from bad thoughts to real emotions – in order to solve potential problems.
Where to Buy Snowflake 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.
Uses of Snowflake Obsidian in Jewelry
Snowflake obsidian is known for both its metaphysical properties and its uses in jewelry. Unless you are interested in the beneficial effects of metaphysics, you probably know about this stone from jewelry stores only. Just like other stones (and other varieties of obsidian), this one has a wide variety of applications in uses in all kinds of pieces – from a basic ring or a bracelet to a necklace or earrings.
There are more secrets behind the popularity of snowflake obsidian. Its black color is one of them. A black gemstone will always make a difference in a jewelry store because it underlines more aspects. It can be part of a chic outfit, but it can also complement a modern appearance. It might as well be the only piece of modernity in a classic approach.
Given its relatively dark appearance, snowflake obsidian in the jewelry world is as black in the color world – it can be paired with pretty much anything. It goes with gold and silver as well. When mixed with silver, the stone gets a casual appearance. It is modern and fancy. On the other hand, gold gives it a more traditional style with chic tendencies.
It is worth noting that snowflake obsidian does not necessarily have to be the main stone in a piece of jewelry. While relatively inexpensive when compared to other stones, it makes a good combo. For example, apart from gold, it also goes with diamonds. A beautiful pendant or an engagement ring will most likely highlight snowflake obsidian in a unique way if it comes with diamonds too.
Now, you probably ask yourself – does snowflake obsidian go well in an engagement ring? The truth is it will look good. It is doable in theory. Practically, it is not such a good idea. Why? Easy. It is rated at a maximum of 5.5 on the Mohs scale. In other words, it is not as hard as other stones. When worn on a daily basis, it is more likely to get scraped or scratched. Regular wear and tear will also be visible after a while.
It does not mean that you have to ditch the idea. Indeed, it is not recommended, but it is doable. If you truly love this stone, you can get an engagement ring based on it, but you must take extra care. It also depends on what you do or what your job is about. Furthermore, it must be mounted in a highly protective setting.
Again, snowflake obsidian is not the most practical stone in jewelry when it comes to practical objects. But then, items like earrings, a pendant or a necklace can easily feature this stone because they are not so exposed to regular wear and tear.
From the same point of view, snowflake obsidian is famous for its snowflake pattern. Therefore, it makes more sense to display the beautiful pattern in a larger piece – like a pendant – than in tiny earrings, where it will look like a small black stone.
Where Does Snowflake Obsidian Come From?
In order to understand where snowflake obsidian comes from, you must understand how it is naturally made. The volcanic glass occurs naturally. It comes to life when lava coming out of a volcano cools down, but without crystal growth. With time, the respective glass is turned into a rock.
The snowflake patterns are given by spherulite inclusions. They naturally form inside the stone. Their endings are visible on the surface of the stone and look like snowflakes.
In other words, snowflake obsidian is associated with volcanic areas. The more famous an area is for historic eruptions, the more significant the snowflake obsidian deposits are.
Generally speaking, this stone is naturally found all over the world. Most of the snowflake obsidian you find in commerce comes from certain areas though, such as the USA, Italy or Scotland. When it comes to the USA, the stone is most commonly found on the western coast. The coast has lots of tectonic activity, hence the wide variety of deposits.
How Much Is Snowflake Obsidian Worth?
It might be a bit challenging to determine how much snowflake obsidian is worth. This is because most people are less likely to buy it raw. Instead, they buy it as jewelry – be it a pendant or a set of earrings. At this point, other materials will also affect the price. For instance, earrings with diamonds and snowflake obsidian will cost more than earrings with silver and snowflake obsidian.
Other than that, factors like the overall condition, color and size will also affect the final price – plus, the actual marketplace. For instance, head over to a small swap shop in a small town on the west coast and you can grab a piece the size of a tennis ball for $5. Go to a high-end gem store in a large city with a high income and you will buy the same piece for $50.
Snowflake obsidian goes in the same category as black obsidian if you count the price. Both stones are good looking and quite popular, but they are not rare. The stone is not really sought after, unless it has been used in a carving, such as a famous sculpture.
If you want snowflake obsidian stones for their metaphysical properties, you can buy them for less than a coffee over the Internet – small amounts of small stones. An artifact – such as a native arrowhead – will cost much more though, but this is suitable for collectors only. It requires paperwork for authenticity and you also need to consider local laws and regulations.
How to Identify Snowflake Obsidian?
Identifying snowflake obsidian is not hard. After all, it is not that expensive, so you are less likely to find counterfeit pieces. The dark volcanic glass comes with a unique appearance. As you look at it and touch it, you will notice a glossy and smooth style. The white and grayish spots never miss. Such spherulites are made of cristobalite – shaped like a needle. It is a particular type of quartz.
You can find large pieces of snowflake obsidian – the size of a baseball or tennis balls – in abundance. You do not have to be an expert to identify the stone, but just a bit of experience. If you have had or touched snowflake obsidian before, you should be able to identify it right away.
The distinctive smooth glassy surface is unique. At the end of the day, this is only a frozen liquid filled with minerals. Since it is inexpensive, it is not worth faking it. In the worst case, certain types of obsidian will be sold as more valuable stones and rarely the other way around.
How to Use Snowflake Obsidian?
Snowflake obsidian can be used in a few different ways, depending on what you get it for. If you want it as a piece of jewelry, its dark color makes it suitable for any occasion. It can be mixed with anything else – more or less valuable metals, as well as various gems. Silver will make it look casual, while gold will make it look classic, just to give you a few hints.
It can be used in a necklace, a bracelet, a ring or earrings. It can make nice engagement rings too, but it should be used occasionally. For example, as an engagement ring, it will show signs of wear and tear within months or even weeks. It is relatively soft when compared to other gems, so it makes more sense to wear it on special occasions only.
If you want snowflake obsidian for its metaphysical properties, it can go pretty much anywhere. You can get a few crystals and keep them in your pocket or perhaps use them as beads for a homemade bracelet. You might as well get larger pieces and use them as decorative items around your office, living room or working space.
The metaphysical effects of snowflake obsidian will target you as long as they are near you. Keeping them right next to you will provide even better results. For example, you can get a rugged piece as a small pendant with a plastic or leather wire – a more casual and relaxed approach that will never suffer from wear and tear.
How to Cleanse Snowflake Obsidian?
Snowflake obsidian is not a problematic stone when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. Maintenance can, indeed, be challenging when worn on a daily basis because it is a bit soft. But cleaning should never raise any issues. Ideally, a bit of running water and a clean rag will get the job done in no time. It is highly contraindicated to use chemicals, solvents or cleaning solutions, even if they are natural or organic. For example, organic vinegar will most likely damage the stone because of its acidic profile.
Keep in mind that cleansing snowflake obsidian can also cleanse its energies. Recharging the energy – if you actually care about the metaphysical properties – is fairly simple though. Most people get white or black candles. The candles must be located on either side, then burnt out.
The mix of cristobalite prevents snowflake obsidian from breaking into small pieces. Other types of obsidian often face such problems. But then, the stone is still relatively brittle, so simply handle it with care.
Snowflake Obsidian vs. Snowflake Jasper
When shopping for snowflake obsidian, you will often find a similar stone referred to as snowflake jasper. The two seem identical, so how can you tell the difference between one and another?
First of all, there is no such thing as a big difference in price, so even if you get the wrong thing, you will not waste money. Second, this is the name some vendors use for snowflake obsidian. The truth is there is no such thing as snowflake jasper.
There are, however, a few varieties of jasper that might be a bit similar to snowflake obsidian though. The brown snowflake jasper is one of them. Not only is it brown, but the snowflake pattern is not as clear as in snowflake obsidian. It is often referred to as coffee jasper or chocolate jasper.
Just like snowflake obsidian, jasper has some metaphysical properties too and can be very helpful in the long run. But when it comes to making the difference between the two stones, snowflake obsidian is black with white or gray snowflake patterns. You simply cannot go wrong.
The two stones are relatively similar in texture and smoothness too. If you had to touch both of them with your eyes closed, making the difference would be challenging. But if you look at what you are buying, there is no way you will go wrong with it.
The Best Combination to Use With Snowflake Obsidian
When it comes to its metaphysical properties, snowflake obsidian will work with pretty much any other stone. Just because you put different stones together, it does not mean that they will interact in a negative way or cancel each other’s energy. More stones will bring in more positive energies – simple as that.
When it comes to jewelry, your options are just as diversified due to the black appearance of snowflake obsidian. If you want to mix it with various metals, both gold and silver will work. Each of them will provide a different type of appearance though – silver for casual and gold for traditional. Other metals are also suitable.
The striking gemstone can be mixed with other stones too – even more expensive stones like diamonds. Despite being rated as relatively soft, it is quite durable and will blend into any type of piece of jewelry – from a classic pendant to delicate earrings.
If you do not feel like spending a fortune, you can find snowflake obsidian mixed with matte Delica or crystal beads – quite a sophisticated appearance. It will also work with more colorful stones – pink coral, red jasper or rhodochrosite.
It is important to know that snowflake obsidian is a unisex stone, meaning you can find beautiful jewelry for both men and women. There are no restrictions on it and it will not cost you too much, so it makes a great choice. However, it may not be suitable for everyday wear, as it can scratch or scrape quite easily.
Final Words
As a short final conclusion, snowflake obsidian is definitely a particular stone with a unique pattern. You can find similar stones out there, but nothing will carry the snowflake pattern in such an obvious way. The best part about snowflake obsidian is the fact that you can mix it with pretty much anything, whether you want to benefit from its metaphysical properties or you want a nice piece of jewelry.
