Horse head earrings, silver wire and silver horse head with Obisdian snowflake stone.

history of Obsidian snowflake

Obidian is volcanic glass produced as lava flows or on the surface of lava which contains high levels of silica. Most obsidian is black, but brown and red also common, green and blue are rare. Internal bubbles or crystals prouduce "snowflake" Obsidian. Obsidian is found throughout the paicfic rim, and in Iceland, Hungary, and Italy. Glass Mountain in south central Oregon has a large obsidian flow.

People in the area used to seavenge the mountain for obsidian boulders for yard decorations. A few homes even have large outdoor grills built entirely from obsidian boulders. The flow are protected by law today. Small nodules found in arizona and New Mexico are called Apache Tears. Similar nodules in Hawaii are call "Pele"s Tears," for the volcano goddess. Thin glassy strand found near the Hawaiian volcanoes are called "pele's Hair".

Chipped obsidian has an edge sharper and finer than a surgeon's scalpel: it was often used in makeing arrowheads, axes and other weapons. In ancient western cultues, obsidian mirrors were used for divination. As with other black stones, obsidian is associated with protection and breaking bad luck. Snowflake obsidian, becasue if its black-and white coloration is associated with balance. If visiting the Hawaiian vocanoes, do not pick up "Pele's Hair" or Pele's Tears>" Not only are People forbidden by law to pick up geological specimens in park areas, but native hawaiians say that Pele herself will curse anyone who takes these souvenirs from her volcanoes with her permission.