Obsidian Obsidian is a black volcanic glass. Though the black stones have a shiny surface, obsidian is not crystalline, unlike most gemstones, and may be formed out of various composition subjected to volcanic activity. The black rocks occur when molten lava rapidly cools down. ONE Black Obsidian Raw Crystal Volcanic Glass Base Chakra Healing Stone Birthday Gifts Protection Crystal Meditation Rock Wicca Reiki Rock. From shop SoulshineStoneworks. 5 out of 5 stars. (1,100) 1,100 reviews.
Home » Volcanoes » Pele's Hair and Pele's Tears
Among the most unusual types of lava
Article by: Hobart M. King, PhD, RPG
Pele's Hair: A cluster of Pele's Hair from Hawaii with a hand lens used for scale. Creative Commons photograph by Cm3826. Click to enlarge.
- Obsidian is a black volcanic glass. It forms from super-cooled lava. It has been used for some of the earliest tools of humankind.
- The very first glass known to stone age people which was used for making weapons and decortaive objects, was obsidian, black volcanic glass. The earliest known man made glass are date back to around 3500BC, with finds in Egypt and Eastern Mesopotamia. Discovery of glassblowing around 1st century BC was a major breakthrough in glass making.
Strange Rocks from Flying Lava
The volcanoes of Hawaii produce many spectacular, dangerous and frightening sights. Sometimes they erupt lava fountains that spray incandescent lava hundreds of feet into the air. Sometimes they produce lava flows that cascade over a cliff into the ocean. And, sometimes an especially vigorous eruption will spatter lava over the surrounding landscape.
In each of the above situations, where molten lava flies through the air and when the conditions are right, strange eruption products are formed. Two of the most interesting are known as 'Pele's Hair' and 'Pele's Tears'. Both are named after the legendary Pele, the goddess of Hawaiian volcanoes.
Very Fine Pele's Hair: Pele's hair can be so fine that it appears to have a thickness similar to a spider's web. Photo from the 2018 Kilauea eruption by the United States Geological Survey. Click to enlarge.
Pele's Hair
'Pele's Hair' is the name given to hair-like strands of volcanic glass that are stretched from still-molten masses of lava as they are launched or fall through the air in a lava fountain, a lava cascade, or lava spatter. Pele's hair can form as a flying globule of molten lava separates into two or more pieces and thin strands of lava stretch between the pieces after their separation. The strands solidify into glassy strands and accumulate downwind from their source. There the ground and vegetation can be covered with thin, lustrous, hair-like strands of glass. The strands are known to have been carried up to several kilometers from their source by the wind.
Strands of Pele's hair are very thin, almost always under ½ millimeter in width. They range in length from tiny broken pieces up to strands as long as 2 meters. Their appearance can be similar to coarse human hair with a golden-brown color.
Geologically, Pele's hair is a mineraloid formed from basaltic lava.
Pele's Hair Along Curb: Pele's hair is blown by the wind and usually accumulates in front of and behind obstacles to the wind. Here piles of Pele's hair have accumulated along a curb in a parking lot. This hair was fallout from a plume that rose from the Halema'uma'u crater. Photo by the United States Geological Survey. Click to enlarge.
Treat Pele's Hair With Caution!
Pele's hair should be considered a hazardous material. The thin strands of glass are very sharp, very brittle, and break easily. If handled they can penetrate human skin, break in the wound, and break again into even smaller pieces when extraction is attempted.
In areas where Pele's hair is forming, tiny sharp particles can be carried by the wind or remobilized when dust on the ground is disturbed. These tiny particles can cause severe eye injury. They tiny razor-sharp fragments can also cause respiratory injuries if inhaled. Stay away from areas where Pele's hair is forming or areas where it has covered the ground.
Pele's Tears: Numerous specimens of Pele's Tears. Creative Commons photograph by Ivtorov. Click to enlarge.
Pele's Tears
A tiny teardrop-shaped globule of black volcanic glass similar to obsidian is sometimes attached to the end of a strand of Pele's hair. These usually break free from the hair and fall close to the vent that ejected the lava. These droplets of glass are known as Pele's Tears.
| First Description of Pele's Hair by James D. Dana |
| 'At one of the pools, the formation of Pele's hair, or capillary volcanic glass, was in progress. It covered thickly the surface to leeward, and lay like mown grass, its threads being parallel, and pointing away from the pool. On watching the operation a moment it was apparent that it proceeded from the jets of liquid lava thrown up by the process of boiling. The currents of air, blowing across these jets, bore off small points, and drew out a glassy fibre, such as is produced in the common mode of working glass. The delicate fibre floated on till the heavier end brought it down, and then the wind carried over the lighter capillary extremity. Each fibre was usually ballasted with the small knob which was borne off from the lava-jet by the winds.' [3] |
Don't Steal Pele's Hair!
According to legend, people who remove rocks, shells, sand or other materials from the Hawaiian islands will be cursed with bad fortune by Pele. Many people who visit Hawaii are either unaware of this legend or decide to ignore it. Then, usually after they experience a tragic event, they learn of the legend or remember it and decide that their bad fortune was triggered by their theft. Then in remorse, they have an urgent desire to return what they have stolen to its rightful place.
Rangers at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park report that each day they receive packages by mail containing returned rocks. Some of the people include an apologetic letter and some even include an offering for Pele. You can read more about this in a news article in the Chicago Tribune archive. [1]
Perhaps more important than displeasing Pele is staying on the right side of the law. Removing rocks, minerals, fossils, plants, animals and other materials from a national park is a violation of Federal law. People have been fined or sent to jail for taking materials from a national park. If you remove materials from private land, you can be subject to civil liability or prosecuted for theft. These things really happen. To learn more see our article about the Legal Aspects of Rock, Mineral, and Fossil Collecting. [2]
Pele's Hair blankets the ground between ejected basaltic blocks at Halema'uma'u Crater, Kilauea, Hawaii. The bright luster of the hair reflects the afternoon sun. Image by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, United States Geological Survey. Click to enlarge.
Pele's Hair Around the World
The formation of 'Pele's Hair' is not limited to Hawaii. It is found at Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua, Mount Etna in Italy, and Erta' Ale Volcano in Ethiopia. In Iceland material similar to Pele's Hair is called 'Witches' Hair'.
| Pele's Hair Information |
| [1] Lava 'Thieves' Inundate Hawaii Volcanoes National Park With Mail: by Martin Merzer, Knight-Ridder/Tribune; an article published in the Chicago Tribune on May 6, 1992 and archived online. Accessed July 2018. [2] Legal Aspects of Rock, Mineral, and Fossil Collecting: by Timothy J. Witt, J.D., website article on Geology.com, accessed July 2018. [3] First scientific description of Pele's Hair by James D. Dana, published in: United States Exploring Expedition, during the years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, under the command of Charles Wilkes, U.S.N.; George P. Putnam, Publisher; Geology, Volume 10, page 179. |
Pele's Hair lines the edges of Crater Rim Drive near the Halema'uma'u parking lot. The photo was taken looking towards the sun to show the golden luster of Pele's hair. Image by the United States Geological Survey. Click to enlarge.
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Black obsidian is one of the most powerful rocks in nature. It protects the wearer against all kinds of negative actions and emotions. This stone of truth heals and enhances the gift of prophecy.
Black Obsidian Meaning, Short History, and Legends
Obsidian is a natural form of volcanic glass famous for its conchoidal fracture surface. It’s made of the following: Rhyolite, Andesite, basalt, and Trachyte. The rock has different colors: black obsidian, blue, reddish brown, and smoky gray. Other hues and patterns: green, golden sheen, rainbow, snowflake, and silver. In nature, we find the Obsidian rock as small nodules called Apache Tears.
Black Obsidian Meaning
The word “obsidian” comes from the Latin “obsidianus”. This is an inaccurate version of the words “Obsianus (lapis)”, meaning “(stone) of Obsius”. The latter was a Roman who discovered the rock in Africa, more specifically Ethiopia. The history of this powerful rock is older than the Roman Empire.
History and Legends
The obsidian was first used as a weapon and a mirror in 700,000 BC. Pre-Columbian Mesoamericans used it to make tools. They also carved it in the form of decorative objects. The black obsidian appears in the history of Native Americans as well. The stone statues on Easter Island have obsidian in their composition. You’ll also find the rock mentioned in the Middle East.
According to astrologists, the rock is the stone of Pluto. In ancient times, the obsidian was believed to be a fragment that fell from Satan’s claws. The Apache Tears pattern takes its name from a legend.
50 warriors of the Native American tribe died in an ambush and their bodies turned into black stones. The tears that fell from their wives’ eyes were buried in the stones by the Great Father. If you look at a black obsidian in the light, you will see the shape of a tear. People who wear the Apache Tear as jewelry will never cry and good luck will follow them for the rest of their lives.
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Black Obsidian Healing Properties & Recommended Uses
Black obsidian properties are many and powerful. Its healing properties are particularly important. Here’s what the stone can do:
- Enhance physical force.
- Treat male and female genital diseases.
- Improve the functioning of kidneys.
- Help adrenal glands work better.
- Treat rheumatism.
- Improve digestion.
- Calm your mind.
- Protect against depression.
- Improve peripheral circulation.
- Draw tension and stress out of your body.
- Keep you away from any form of negativity.
- Strengthen spiritual beliefs.
As you can tell, the healing properties of obsidian are not limited to physical healing alone. Instead, they extend to the emotional and spiritual level of our being.
To make the most out of these properties, you need to use the rock during your crystal therapy sessions. Alternatively, you can place it beside your bed. Another good idea would be to place the stone under your pillow.
More specifically, for physical and emotional healing, one can choose to wear volcanic glass earrings, necklaces or bracelets. If not, simply carry them around inside your purse, bag or pocket and just take them out whenever you feel the need to do so like getting rid of the negativity in a situation you are currently in.
As for spiritual healing, it is better to have a mala or prayer beads made from obsidian that you can hold on to during your prayers. If you can’t find one, then you can settle with obsidian jewelry or tumble stones.
Since this volcanic glass can also be used in Feng Shui, one can strategically place it at specific areas in the house to experience its power. For example, you can take a black obsidian mirror and position it directly at the opposite side of a lighter mirror to bring out the balance between the strong and calm energies in your home.
Black Obsidian Stone Color Symbolism & Spiritual Meaning
Obsidian doesn’t come in just one color. The gemstone has different hues and patterns. Each of the colors and shapes symbolizes something else and has another spiritual meaning. Let’s see what this means.
- Black Obsidian: it increases self-control and removes selfish intentions. If you’re sensitive to the outside world, your foresight will be enhanced. Use a black obsidian crystal ball during your meditation sessions. You will feel emotional release if you wear the stone on the Manipura.
- Green Obsidian: symbolizes freedom from draining energy. It has to do with the root and the heart chakras. The energies of these important regions are brought together in synergy.
- Mahogany Obsidian: gentle energy. The stone vibrates with the earth and fuels weak auras with strength.
- Bright blue obsidian: represents intuition. The rock that has this color can open Vishuddha, the 5th Its power becomes clear in an induced trance state. Fortune telling is one of the most common practices to use the bright blue stone.
- Golden Obsidian: the symbol of protection. Used in scrying sessions because it harmonizes energy fields.
- Silver obsidian:: a symbol for patience and perseverance.
- Golden sheen: a symbol of the past and the future. Also referred to as gold sheen obsidian. Helps solve a problem by making us look into the root of it all. It solves ego conflicts.
- Rainbow obsidian: another symbol of protection. This is the stone to use if you want to learn about your spiritual nature.
- Snowflake obsidian: the symbol of purity. It brings a balance of spirit, mind, and body. Don’t be fooled by its name as this type of obsidian not actually white–at least not entirely. A snowflake obsidian is predominantly black in color with patches of white all over it that mimics a snowflake pattern.
Black Obsidian Key-Facts
This rock forms only near volcanoes that are active. Surgeons use it for different procedures thanks to its sharpness. The obsidian works great as a jewelry piece, too. because it’s easy to work with this gemstone. You can buy a black obsidian bracelet and pair it with a ring.
The rock has a hardness of 5.5. This means that it’s not difficult to carve. Thanks to this property, artists can turn it into figurines, sculptures, and masks. Aside from those, obsidians have also been used in the ancient times as a weapon that’s known to have a sharp cutting edge. Obsidian blades along with a wooden body make up the sword-like weapon called macuahuitl.
Other words for this rock: glassy lava, royal agate, Xaga, or glass agate. Although, note that Obsidian is technically not an agate or even a stone because it lacks the crystalline structure that is common to both.
Obsidians, in general, are widely regarded as modern zodiac gemstones of people born on certain months and dates. The mahogany type, for example, is said to be the birthstone of people born between September 23 and October 22 or those that fall under the zodiac sign of Libra. The blue ones, on the other hand, are for people born between January 20 and February 18 or those under Aquarius.
The black obsidian, along with the snowflake obsidian, are both considered as birthstones of people born between November 22 and December 21 or those that fall under the zodiac sign of Sagittarius.
All types of obsidians are said to resonate with different chakras. These include the Muladhara or root chakra, the earthstar chakra, the Manipura or the solar plexus chakra, the Svadhishthana or the sacral chakra, and the Ajna or the third-eye chakra.
Each corresponding chakra represents a power or key point in our body where energy flows through. Thus, placing or wearing an obsidian near these key points help balance our these chakras.
For example, placed at the base of your spine, the black obsidian protects your back, teeth, bones, and blood. Negative energy stays away from these regions which are all associated with the root chakra. The gold sheen, on the other hand, is known to dissolve negativity and cleanse the aura. It is particularly able to clear any blockage in the solar plexus chakra.
Obsidian Blocks For Sale
Black Obsidian Jewelry: A Short Guide
Wearing a necklace, a pendant, or beads made of black obsidian will bring you health benefits. The gemstone doesn’t only bring physical healing. It also helps if you aim for a high-fashion look. Mix a pearl ring with a black obsidian and get ready for a great night out.
You can combine this rock with other stones fashioned into refined jewelry. Here are some examples: Dravite, Golden Rutilated Qtz, and Shungite. An Amethyst pendant is a perfect companion for a black obsidian bracelet.
The stone is so popular, that motherboard manufacturers have come up with black obsidian cases. You have the 800D full-tower one, as well as these Obsidian Series options: 450D, 550D, and 650D. If you find one on sale at a good price, buy it. You won’t find a better one anywhere.
Black obsidian is one of nature’s most powerful rocks. It’s filled with meaning and there are many interesting facts about it. Find out all about its properties, history, and legends from today’s post. If you want to find out info on another gemstone, feel free to check out this A to Z comprehensive guide.
Black Volcanic Glass Is Called
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Shawshank Redemption Black Volcanic Glass
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