Brown Snowflake Obsidian
Brown Snowflake Obsidian is often referred to as Coffee or Chocolate Snowflake Obsidian, or Brown Snowflake Jasper. The snowflake pattern is a lovely blend of gray and creamy-white on a soft, sometimes smokey brown background. Although Black Snowflake Obsidian and Red Mexican Snowflake Obsidian are relatively easier to find, Miriam particularly likes the “Chocolate” variety--It’s warm brown colorations looks like a rich hot chocolate swirled with melting marshmallow snowflakes. Probably not the description the Aztecs used when wearing jewelry made from Obsidian, or using their Macuahuitle, or Aztec War Club—a fearsome weapon consisting of several Obsidian blades on a wooden handle.The stones have been in Miriam’s Private Collection since around 2008, when she started to collect them. Geologists called the stones Tectonic (Volcanic) Jasper. Obsidian stones are naturally strong and highly polished. The gray and creamy white snowflakes are called Phenocrysts, large sphere-like particles of needle-shaped Cristobalite (a type of quartz), which resemble snowflakes. Because of its hardness, Obsidian is believed to have been used during the Stone Age to form weapons. The name comes from the Obsius, a Roman who is credited with discovering a similar stone in Ethiopia. Metaphysical essence: Snowflake Obsidian is believed by some to balance the mind and body, with properties that protect against chaotic or unstable situations. Others thinkit is a cornerstone to contemplation, and brings self-evaluation and revelation.
- Facts about Obsidian: Technically, Obsidian is a Tectonic (Volcanic) Jasper—meaning it forms through volcanic activity. The composition of Obsidian can change over time, just as any type of rock changes over a long period of time. Over the years, there has been much interest in the processes that formed the "snowflakes," which mark the transformation of volcanic glass into true rock.
- Volcanic glass forms when felsic lava from a volcano rapidly cools down with very minimum crystal growth. The term “felsic”refers to the high content of quartz-laden feldspar minerals in the lava. In this process, called devitrification, the silica molecules rearrange themselves into crystal patterns. As quartz crystals form, they can have the appearance of snowflakes, and the rock becomes known as Snowflake Obsidian. At this point, the formation of the crystals has caused it to lose its glassiness, but it maintains it smooth glossy surface.
- Snowflake Obsidian is found in many areas of the world where volcanic activity has taken place. In the United States, it is found on the West Coast, an area with high levels of tectonic activity. It also occurs where magma has a high silica content. It has a similar composition to granite and rhyolite. Miriam believes the stones she has are from Glass Buttes, Oregon. These ancient volcanic hills are known to have a variety of obsidian, including: mahogany, red, flame, midnight lace, jet black, pumpkin, brown, rainbow, gold sheen, silver sheen, green, lizard skin, snowflake and more. (Miriam also has a collection of Mahogany, Red Mexican, and Black Snowflake Obsidian.)