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Obsidians – Brehov, Slovakia – 100g

Locality: Brehov, Slovakia
Total weight: 100g
Approximate size: 15 mm to 30 mm
Weight range: 0 - 3 g DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Delivery to:
22/08/2025
In Stock
Code: XO002
$298,46 –4 % $284,13 $234,82 excl. VAT
Category: Wholesale
Obsidians – Brehov, Slovakia – 100g
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$298,46 –4 %
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Eastern Slovak obsidian

General

Obsidian is a type of volcanic glass, a rock that is formed as a result of magmatic activity when hot lava comes into rapid contact with a cold environment and then solidifies rapidly. The rock is very rich in silica compounds and is a natural form of glass. It is typically dark in colour, ranging from black, grey or red. It is usually opaque, but its transparency increases as the iron oxide content decreases.

History

The occurrence of obsidian in Slovakia is relatively small compared to other local neovolcanics. Our ancestors used it to make cutting tools as early as the Palaeolithic (2 500 000 years ago), but it has been shown that these tools were also used during the Neolithic (5 000 years ago). In Europe, there are only a limited number of primary occurrences of obsidian suitable for the production of cutting tools, mainly scrapers, spearheads or knives. It is clear from the results of ongoing research that the importance of Eastern Slovak obsidian as a raw material for the production of chipped tools has far exceeded its local significance. Therefore, Eastern Slovak obsidian was distributed throughout Central and Eastern Europe and across the Balkans to the Mediterranean.

A little chemistry

Obsidian is the product of highly acidic lavas of Neogene volcanism. Their origin is closely linked to rhyolite volcanism. Its occurrences form the peripheral parts of larger volcanic bodies, mainly composed of rhyolite. The nests of obsidian nodules, incorrectly referred to by collectors as mounds, are usually found in rhyolite tuffs, from where it often weathered as a more resistant material, and therefore today its shape and surface (sculpture) often resembles Bohemian Moldavite.

The obsidian of Eastern Slovakia belongs to a group of unaltered acid volcanic glasses with a silica (SiO2) content of about 80%. The higher acidity of the local lavas has caused the obsidians to have a higher SiO2 content and a lower water content than the world average. This is the reason for their greater durability and suitability for the production of chipped tools. The water content of obsidian is unusually low. The H2O content varies between 0,19 and 0,31 %. The density varies between 2,3 and 2,4 g/cm³. Porosity is well below 1 %, and hardness is between 5 and 5,5 on the Mohs scale.

The local obsidian is transparent. Depending on its chemical composition, its colours range from black, to grey, to bluish and greenish, sometimes with silvery highlights. No other obsidian in the world offers such a colour spectrum!

Interesting / Potential

As chance would have it, the occurrence of obsidian in Slovakia dates back 15,000,000 years ago, around the same time as its Czech "brother", moldavite, to which it is often compared for its appearance, and at a certain distance and under the right light they are indistinguishable from each other. But of course on closer examination the differences are clear and there can be no confusion.

Interest in obsidians in general is growing both in Europe and worldwide. The Slovak ones are enhanced by their rare occurrence, limited quantity, unique colour and the aforementioned resemblance to Moldavites. Its current low price makes it an ideal stone for future value appreciation.

Obsidian is easy to work and polish, and as a raw material it is truly suitable for jewellery and haberdashery purposes. It is also used to make replicas of Palaeolithic cutting tools, stone beads and jewellery. Obsidian can be collected at individual sites in the form of small boulders from 1 to about 20 cm in diameter. However, most of the mounds are between 1 and 5 cm. Their predominant colour is black or blackish grey. The cut stones achieve a high polish and the cut yield is comparable to commercial coloured chalcedony.

It can be used not only in the form of plain cabochon cuts or tables, but since it is transparent, it can also be faceted in the form of rout and step cuts. Faceted stones are very spectacular and surpass in appearance the dark gneisses and morions. Due to its easy workability, it is also a suitable raw material for plastic cutting of small figures, so-called glyptics.

In any case, it deserves to be promoted as one of the very interesting materials used since the Stone Age. Although interest in natural glass is growing mainly thanks to tektites, the others are also being mentioned alongside them. The scientific community has organised several conferences dedicated to natural glass research. In 1987, one of them was held under the auspices of Charles University in Prague. For this conference, silver jewellery was produced by the Granat cooperative in Turnov, the dominant stone of which was obsidian from Eastern Slovakia. Inquiries and orders from abroad continued for several years.

Uses of obsidian

Obsidian has a wide range of uses due to its physical properties and aesthetic qualities.

  1. Tools: Historically, obsidian was widely used to make various tools and weapons, especially in prehistoric times. The sharp edges of obsidian were ideal for making:

    • Arrowheads and spear points: Due to its sharpness and hardness, obsidian was an ideal material for arrowheads and spear points
    • Knives and scrapers: It was used to make cutting tools that were essential for the daily life of prehistoric people
  2. Jewelry and decorative items: Due to its luster and aesthetic properties, Slovak obsidian is a popular material for making jewelry and decorative items:

    • Necklaces, bracelets, rings: Obsidian is often used in jewelry making to create various types of jewelry
    • Amulets and talismans: For its beauty and supposed protective properties, obsidian is often crafted into amulets and talismans
    • Decorative figurines and items: Handcrafted decorative items and figurines made of obsidian are valued for their aesthetic and artistic qualities
  3. Healing and esotericism: Obsidian is often associated with various spiritual and healing practices:

    • Protective properties: Some people believe that obsidian has the ability to ward off negative energy and protect the wearer from psychic attacks
    • Healing: In alternative medicine, obsidian is used for its supposed abilities to promote emotional healing and balance
  4. Collecting:

    • Mineral collections: Obsidian is popular among collectors of minerals and gemstones who appreciate its unique properties and appearance
  5. Modern medicine:

    • Surgical scalpels: Although less common, some surgical scalpels are made from obsidian because its extremely sharp edges allow for very precise cuts
  6. Sculpture making:

    • Sculpture and carving: Artists use obsidian to create detailed sculptures and carvings thanks to its ability to be finely worked
P Avatar of author Peggy | 08/08/2025
Super schnelle Lieferung, Anhänger wie beschrieben. Dankeschön super Preis Leistung
Avatar of author Petr Šopejstal | 17/07/2025
Pekne sbirkove vzorky za dostupnou cenu, rychle dodani, peclive zabaleno a darek navic. Urcite jeste znovu nakoupim.
M Avatar of author Magda C. | 15/07/2025
Překrásné opály, bleskové dodání a ještě dáreček navíc. Co je ale nejlepší, je možnost vidět video, na kterém jsou opály perfektně vidět. Vřele doporučuji.
DH Avatar of author Daniel Hübsch | 10/07/2025
Rychle dodáno, pečlivě zabaleno. Perfektní, doporučují
CR Avatar of author Chase Robison | 15/06/2025
I love shopping here! My new favorite store 💜 I would give 10 stars if I could!
D Avatar of author Daniel | 11/06/2025
Rychlé dodání a všechno dorazilo v pořádku
JV Avatar of author Jiřina Vilímková | 11/06/2025
Spokojená,vstřícné jednání,rychlost,ochota.Za mne 100%.Radost i z malého dárku. Vše OK.
M Avatar of author Markus | 26/05/2025
Bin mehr wie zufrieden! Der Moldavit ist super schön!! Der Kontakt war sehr freundlich und die Antwort ist immer sofort gekommen. Auch die Lieferung war sehr schnell, besser geht es nicht! Vielen Dank und wir haben sicher mal wieder miteinander zu tun! Viele Grüße. Markus
MP Avatar of author Miloslava Prantlová | 25/05/2025
Rychlé dodání, perfektní zabalení a malý dárek k tomu, spokojenost.
J Avatar of author Jakub | 22/05/2025
Velká spokojenost, rychlé vyřízení a hezký kámen
BM Avatar of author Bernd Mestermann | 16/05/2025
Top!!!!!!!!
V Avatar of author Vojta | 14/05/2025
Nakup bez problému dostanete to co si objednáte a v terminu
DD Avatar of author Dagmar Dočekalová | 13/05/2025
Rychle a kvalitně zabaleno a doručeno, výborná komunikace s obchodem. Krásné a přehledné webové stránky, nádherné a vyjímečné zboží, veliký výběr. A jako poděkování dárek. Co více si přát? Děkuji.
M Avatar of author Martin | 13/05/2025
Nákup proběhl bez problémů. Doručené zboží na 100% odpovídalo nabízenému + malý dárek k objednávce. Vše perfektně zabaleno. Obchod doporučuji.
MG Avatar of author Marcel Gašparík | 08/05/2025
Skvělý obchod. Velký a rozmanitý výběr, super rychlé dodání a k poslední objednávce jsem navíc dostal dárek (meteorit) za který též moc děkuji
RD Avatar of author Radka Danihelková | 05/05/2025
Vřele doporučuji 😊
AK Avatar of author Alex Kolev | 28/04/2025
HJ Avatar of author Hilda Janatová | 25/04/2025
FR Avatar of author Fred Ringwald | 19/04/2025
Excellent! Good value, fast response, no trouble
Š Avatar of author Šárka | 02/04/2025
S nákupy v obchodě Peltramminerals mám více zkušeností. Vždy jsem velice spokojená a určitě se zase vrátím. 😊 Zboží je úžasné a je opravdu z čeho vybírat. Rychlé vyřízení a dodání zboží. Vše bez problémů. Pŕi osobním jednání jsou velice příjemní, ochotní a milí. Všem vřele doporučuji 🍀🌞🍀
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