Definition
Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock. It is produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth
  
An iron rich extrusive rock found as a member of the alkali basalt magma series
  
History
  
  
Origin
Ethiopia
  
Isle of Mull, Scotland
  
Discoverer
Obsius
  
Ben More
  
Etymology
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius
  
From the name of discoverer, Ben More
  
Class
Igneous Rocks
  
Igneous Rocks
  
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
  
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
  
Family
  
  
Group
Volcanic
  
Volcanic
  
Other Categories
Opaque Rock
  
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
  
Texture
Glassy
  
Glassy, Massive, Porphyritic, Scoriaceous, Trachytic, Vesicular
  
Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
  
Black, Brown, Light to Dark Grey
  
Maintenance
Less
  
Less
  
Durability
Durable
  
Durable
  
Water Resistant
Yes
  
No
  
Scratch Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Stain Resistant
No
  
Yes
  
Wind Resistant
No
  
No
  
Acid Resistant
No
  
No
  
Appearance
Shiny
  
Rough and Dull
  
Architecture
  
  
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
  
Floor Tiles, Homes, Hotels, Kitchens
  
Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration
  
As Building Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
  
Other Architectural Uses
Not Yet Used
  
Curbing
  
Industry
  
  
Construction Industry
Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points
  
As Dimension Stone, Cobblestones, Rail Track Ballast, Roadstone
  
Medical Industry
Surgery
  
Not Yet Used
  
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery
  
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
  
Other Uses
  
  
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums
  
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork, Curling
  
Types
Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian
  
Alkaline Basalt, Boninite, High Alumina Basalt, Mid Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB) and Tholeiitic Basalt
  
Features
Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression
  
Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate, Very fine grained rock
  
Archaeological Significance
  
  
Monuments
Not Yet Used
  
Used
  
Famous Monuments
Not Applicable
  
Data Not Available
  
Sculpture
Not Yet Used
  
Used
  
Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
  
Data Not Available
  
Pictographs
Used
  
Used
  
Petroglyphs
Used
  
Used
  
Figurines
Not Yet Used
  
Used
  
Fossils
Absent
  
Absent
  
Formation
When the lava is released from volcano, it undergoes a very rapid cooling which freezes the mechanisms of crystallization. The result is a volcanic glass with a uniform smooth texture.
  
Benmoreite is a type of Igneous rock which is formed through the cooling and solidification of lava or magma. It forms with or without crystallization, either below the surface as intrusive rocks or on the surface as extrusive rocks.
  
Composition
  
  
Mineral Content
Not Available
  
Alkali feldspar, Biotite, Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Sodic plagioclase
  
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
  
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
  
Transformation
  
  
Metamorphism
Yes
  
Yes
  
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
  
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
  
Weathering
Yes
  
Yes
  
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
  
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
  
Erosion
Yes
  
Yes
  
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
  
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
  
Physical Properties
  
  
Hardness
5-5.5
  
6
  
Grain Size
Not Applicable
  
Fine Grained
  
Fracture
Conchoidal
  
Conchoidal
  
Streak
White
  
Black
  
Porosity
Very Less Porous
  
Less Porous
  
Luster
Vitreous
  
Earthy
  
Compressive Strength
37.40 N/mm2
  
28
Cleavage
Non-Existent
  
Perfect
  
Toughness
Not Available
  
2.3
  
Specific Gravity
2.6-2.7
  
2.8-3
  
Transparency
Translucent
  
Opaque
  
Density
2.6 g/cm3
  
2.9-3.1 g/cm3
  
Thermal Properties
  
  
Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K
  
10
0.84 kJ/Kg K
  
15
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
  
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
  
Deposits in Eastern Continents
  
  
Asia
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia
  
India, Russia
  
Africa
Kenya
  
South Africa
  
Europe
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
  
Iceland
  
Others
Not Yet Found
  
Not Yet Found
  
Deposits in Western Continents
  
  
North America
Canada, Mexico, USA
  
Canada, USA
  
South America
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
  
Brazil
  
Deposits in Oceania Continent
  
  
Australia
New Zealand
  
Not Yet Found
  
All about Obsidian and Benmoreite Properties
Know all about Obsidian and Benmoreite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Obsidian and Benmoreite belong to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Obsidian is Glassy whereas that of Benmoreite is Glassy, Massive, Porphyritic, Scoriaceous, Trachytic, Vesicular. Obsidian appears Shiny and Benmoreite appears Rough and Dull. The luster of Obsidian is vitreous while that of Benmoreite is earthy. Obsidian is available in black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, tan, yellow colors whereas Benmoreite is available in black, brown, light to dark grey colors. The commercial uses of Obsidian are creating artwork, mirror, used in aquariums and that of Benmoreite are commemorative tablets, creating artwork, curling.