How Much Does Obsidian Cost?

The price of Obsidian is usually dependent on the type and processing that it goes through.

These differences can make the price of obsidian vary between $2.00 and $100.00.

The wholesale value is between $5.00 and $10.00 per kilogram of unprocessed obsidian.

How Much Does Obsidian Cost? (EXPLAINED)

What is Obsidian?

Obsidian forms when molten lava cools rapidly and crystalizes to a glass-like rock.

This makes it a hard, brittle, and glassy rock.

The purest form of Obsidian tends to be a uniform dark color in appearance.

However, impurities present during its formation can result in it having a range of colors.

These colors include dark brown, white, and green depending on the impurity that is in the crystal.

Obsidian mines can be found all over the world where there have been some volcanic activities.

They can mostly be found where there was an underground volcanic eruption.

Significant obsidian deposits can be found in Mexico, Hungary, Japan, Kenya, Italy, Russia, the United States, Argentina, and Iceland.

In the United States, most of the obsidian is found to the west of the Mississippi River in states such as California, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Wyoming, and Washington.

Uses of Obsidian

Due to its unique crystalline form and the different colors, obsidian is used in jewelry and as a gemstone.

In the United States, obsidian used for jewelry is locally sourced from the areas mentioned above.

The polishing and cutting process for obsidian is a very delicate and sometimes dangerous process.

This is mainly due to its brittle and sharp nature, which makes it break easily and can lead to deep cuts when this happens.

The cutting and polishing process tends to vary depending on the jeweler.

The different levels of expertise will result in different jewelers selling the obsidian at different prices.

Due to its brittle and sharp nature, obsidian was in the past used to make tools such as knives and arrowheads.

Obsidian is also sometimes used in modern surgery as a cutting tool.

Very thin blades of Obsidian are usually placed on surgical scalpels to be used in precise surgery.

However, brittleness makes it easy to chip or break and it is not a very popular tool in surgery.

Obsidian is believed to have multiple powerful metaphysical properties.

The stone is used as a protective stone as it shields against negativity.

The stone is also used for its truth-enhancing energy.

Both these characteristics mean that it is used by people looking to stimulate growth, bring clarity, deal with emotional and mental blockage and deal with past traumas.

Obsidian is also used for these characteristics to bring Feng-shui to a home.

Users either wear them as jewelry such as bracelets and necklaces or have them in their living spaces in decorative ways.

Types of Obsidian

The cost for the different types of obsidian tends to have significant price differences.

The main types available on the market are discussed below.

However, the quality of the cut and polishing process can cause the value to increase significantly.

Snowflake Obsidian

Snowflake obsidian gets its name from the white particles that appear suspended within the main obsidian crystals.

These are made of the white mineral cristobalite that is embedded in the obsidian during its formation.

This type of obsidian can be found in deposits around the United States, Scotland, and Italy.

The snowflake obsidian tends to have unique metaphysical properties that make it highly sought after.

Practitioners believe that it helps them see the uncomfortable and dark side of their nature.

This helps them know what to work on so that they can achieve wholeness.

The patterns on the rock are also believed to help one in identifying patterns in one’s behaviors and thoughts.

The price for this type of obsidian ranges from $8.00 to $25.00 when already cut and polished.

The price can go up if the obsidian is combined with other gems in bracelets and necklaces.

Snowflake obsidian is easy to maintain as it only needs to be washed in warm soapy water to keep its shine.

Rainbow Obsidian

Rainbow obsidian is a deep brown or black obsidian that displays iridescent bands of blue, green, violet, gold, or red when polished and exposed to light.

These colors are caused by the microscopic bubbles of magnetite that are suspended in the obsidian.

The rainbow obsidian is worn as a pendant as it is believed to help cleanse and align all chakras.

This obsidian is also used as a tool in facilitating meditation as it aids in the focus and alignment of memories.

Rainbow obsidian is also believed to bring illumination, hope, and energy to unblock the stagnant areas of the emotional body.

The price for this obsidian ranges from $20.00 to $50.00 for a polished and cut stone.

The stone is quite expensive as its color allows for it to be shaped into many different ornaments.

Apache Tears Obsidian

The Apache tear is a form of black obsidian.

The stone gets its name from the legend of the Apache tribe and its shape, which resembles a tear.

The Apache tear is found primarily in Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona.

The Apache tear is considered a gentler form of the pure black obsidian.

For this reason, it is believed to help protect children from negative energy and fields.

It is also used for connection with root chakras and providing stable energy and grounding.

The legend of the Apache tears has resulted in it being used to encourage bravery and taking a warrior’s stance in difficult situations.

The Apache tear is valued at between $20.00 and $35.00 for pure stone.

Mahogany Obsidian

Mahogany obsidian contains high amounts of magnetite and hematite that give it its red, brownish color.

Mahogany obsidian is found in Japan, Afghanistan, Brazil, and the United States, where there has been some volcanic activity.

Mahogany obsidian is used in metaphysics for its activation of the three lower chakras.

It is also believed to stimulate strength, sexuality, passion, creativity, and growth.

The crystal is also believed to work to release one from their inner limitations that are restricting development in their life.

All these characteristics make it a good meditation stone.

The impurities giving it its color make it one of the cheapest obsidian stones.

Their price ranges from $3.00 to $9.00.

Golden Sheen Obsidian

Golden sheen is formed when air bubbles are aligned along with layers that are created by flowing lava before it solidifies.

Golden sheen obsidian can be sourced from areas with volcanic activities such as the United States, Japan, and Mexico.

The stone is easy to maintain as it only requires warm soapy water to clean.

Avoid cleaning with any steam cleaners or wiping them on hard material as it easily scratches.

Crystal practitioners believe that the golden sheen obsidian is suitable for scrying.

The reflective nature of this obsidian has seen it being used in reflective mediation.

The price for this ranges from $10.00 to $20.00 for a polished and shaped stone.

Fire Obsidian

The fire obsidian gets its “fire” from the thin layers of microcrystals of magnetite that occur within the rock. The rock is usually polished and cut into unique shapes that are used as jewelry or decorations in the house. The rock in the United States is mostly obtained from Oregon where it occurs in abundance in some areas.

The stone is used by crystal practitioners for a wide range of uses. The stone is believed to offer strength to unlock untapped abilities. The stone is thought to bring the user joy, light, and love.

The price for a shaped and polished ready-to-wear fire obsidian is between $30.00 and $70.00 depending on the size and work done on the stone.

Conclusion

There are many imitations and synthetic types of obsidian that closely resemble the obsidian variants that are shared above.

It is therefore important to engage the service of an experienced gemstone or crystal expert when looking to buy any obsidian.