1.55" Polished Snowflake Obsidian Sphere - Mexico

This is a nearly 1.6" specimen of snowflake obsidian, collected from Mexico. This obsidian specimen has been polished, revealing the beautiful, snowflake-like crystallizations that formed within the obsidian.

Obsidian forms following an extrusive, felsic (high silicate content) lava eruption. The lava cools fast, not allowing for crystal formation, leaving the mineralization with characteristics similar to glass. When given enough time to cool, obsidian (volcanic glass) can form crystals in a variety of different colors, depending on composition.