{"title":"Sets and Lots","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"fulgurite-300g-libyan-desert-egypt-fvel01","title":"Fulgurite 300g – Libyan desert, Egypt - FVEL01","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Libyan desert, Egypt\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 300g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: 2.4 - 7.3 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDETAILED DESCRIPTION\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eA fulgurite, also called fossilized lightning or petrified lightning, is a glassy formation that occurs when lightning strikes sand or other quartz-bearing materials. When lightning strikes, the temperature reaches up to 30,000 °C and melts the silica particles. The lightning heats the sand so rapidly that it melts and then quickly cools, forming tubes, cavities, or other glassy structures called fulgurites. These are systematically classified as so-called shock-metamorphosed rocks.\nFulgurites can vary in length and thickness depending on the intensity and duration of the lightning strike. The color usually ranges from transparent to pink or brown to black, depending on the impurity content in the sand.\nThe inner walls of fulgurites are lined with a glassy layer formed by the melting of the sand. Traces of partially molten sand grains are visible on the outer surface. Fulgurites are relatively fragile and break easily, which makes it difficult to collect larger pieces and increases their price.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58027971903813,"sku":"FVEL01","price":355.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/52634-7_photoroom-20250801-164514.jpg?v=1779378633"},{"product_id":"slovak-obsidian-hedgehog-475g-objvel6","title":"Slovakian Obsidian – Hedgehog – 47.5g – OBJVEL6","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Carpathians, Slovakia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal Weight: 47.5g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight range: 4-7.5g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNumber of pieces: 8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDETAILED DESCRIPTION\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eSlovakian Obsidian – hedgehog\nThis recently discovered type of Obsidian is among the most beautiful Obsidians in the world. It is distinguished from other Obsidians by its distinctive deep texture, which resembles South Bohemian Moldavite (it is very similar to the Besednice Jezkovna). Its sculpture was formed by rapid cooling, surface cracking, and the subsequent slow action of soil acids at the specific site, just like in the case of Moldavite. The exact location is currently kept secret to protect the area from diggers and potential landscape devastation. We believe that once the precise discovery site is revealed and scientifically examined, interest in this Obsidian with its rare and aesthetic appearance will grow rapidly worldwide – especially due to its significant potential for use in the jewelry industry.\nQuantity and exceptional pieces\nAn estimated 5 kg has been discovered. The average weight of individual pieces is around 3 g. Finds exceeding 10 g are rare. The largest specimen discovered so far weighs an incredible 54 g.\nForgeries and authenticity guarantee\nWe have recorded the presence of forgeries on the market, created by drilling into known Obsidians from Brehov. Forgers attempt to imitate the sculpture, but the result is usually imperfect – drill marks are often visible. A layperson may not recognize a forgery at first glance. Therefore, we recommend being careful about the origin of purchased Obsidian. Our specimens come directly from the finder and we guarantee their authenticity.\nThis distinctly sculpted Obsidian was described in the 2024 book Glassy Wonders.\nEastern Slovakian Obsidian – volcanic glass with exceptional color spectrum\nGeneral\nObsidian 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.\nHistory\nThe 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, but it has been shown that these tools were also used during the Neolithic. 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 Slovakian Obsidian as a raw material for the production of chipped tools has far exceeded its local significance. Therefore, Eastern Slovakian Obsidian was distributed throughout Central and Eastern Europe and across the Balkans to the Mediterranean.\nA little chemistry\nObsidian 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.\nThe 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.\nThe 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!\nInteresting \/ Potential\nAs 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.\nInterest 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 Moldavite. Its current low price makes it an ideal investment stone for the future.\nObsidian 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.\nIt 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.\nIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028005720389,"sku":"OBJVEL6","price":2609.7,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/57131_slovak-obsidian---hedgehog---47-5g.jpg?v=1779379066"},{"product_id":"slovak-obsidian-hedgehog-23g-objvel7","title":"Slovak Obsidian – Hedgehog – 23g - OBJVEL7","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Carpathians, Slovakia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal Weight: 23g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight Range: 1.1-2.9g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNumber of pieces: 12\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDETAILED DESCRIPTION\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eSlovakian Obsidian – hedgehog\nThis recently discovered type of Obsidian is among the most beautiful Obsidians in the world. It is distinguished from other Obsidians by its distinctive deep texture, which resembles South Bohemian Moldavite (it is very similar to the Besednice Jezkovna). Its sculpture was formed by rapid cooling, surface cracking, and the subsequent slow action of soil acids at the specific site, just like in the case of Moldavite. The exact location is currently kept secret to protect the area from diggers and potential landscape devastation. We believe that once the precise discovery site is revealed and scientifically examined, interest in this Obsidian with its rare and aesthetic appearance will grow rapidly worldwide – especially due to its significant potential for use in the jewelry industry.\nQuantity and exceptional pieces\nAn estimated 5 kg has been discovered. The average weight of individual pieces is around 3 g. Finds exceeding 10 g are rare. The largest specimen discovered so far weighs an incredible 54 g.\nForgeries and authenticity guarantee\nWe have recorded the presence of forgeries on the market, created by drilling into known Obsidians from Brehov. Forgers attempt to imitate the sculpture, but the result is usually imperfect – drill marks are often visible. A layperson may not recognize a forgery at first glance. Therefore, we recommend being careful about the origin of purchased Obsidian. Our specimens come directly from the finder and we guarantee their authenticity.\nThis distinctly sculpted Obsidian was described in the 2024 book Glassy Wonders.\nEastern Slovakian Obsidian – volcanic glass with exceptional color spectrum\nGeneral\nObsidian 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.\nHistory\nThe 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, but it has been shown that these tools were also used during the Neolithic. 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 Slovakian Obsidian as a raw material for the production of chipped tools has far exceeded its local significance. Therefore, Eastern Slovakian Obsidian was distributed throughout Central and Eastern Europe and across the Balkans to the Mediterranean.\nA little chemistry\nObsidian 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.\nThe 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.\nThe 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!\nInteresting \/ Potential\nAs 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.\nInterest 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 Moldavite. Its current low price makes it an ideal investment stone for the future.\nObsidian 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.\nIt 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.\nIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028005785925,"sku":"OBJVEL7","price":1263.64,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/57134_slovak-obsidian---hedgehog---23g.jpg?v=1779379067"},{"product_id":"selenite-hearts-50-pcs-4-cm-orange-morocco-vo1","title":"Selenite hearts 50 pcs 4 cm (orange), Morocco - VO1","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSelenite heart 50 pcs (orange)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Morocco\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize: 4 x 3.5 x 1.8 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal pack Weight: 1400g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028137316677,"sku":"VO1","price":93.72,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/25505_selenite-hearts-50-pcs-4-cm--orange-morocco.jpg?v=1779380689"},{"product_id":"tumbled-agate-madagascar-5-kg-6-8-cm-0ma00l","title":"Tumbled Agate – Madagascar – 5 kg (6-8 cm) - 0MA00L","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 kg of Madagascar Agate, approx. 6 - 8 cm in size and weighing approx. 90 - 140 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Madagascar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal Weight: 5kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate Weight Range: 90 - 140g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate Size of Individual Pieces: 6 - 8 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlease Note: Photos are for illustration only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTo better enhance their color and texture, they are baked in an oven — however, this is only a heat treatment that enhances the natural beauty of the mineral. Otherwise, they are completely natural, with no coloring or chemical treatments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028139446597,"sku":"0MA00L","price":574.61,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/11127_tumbled-agate---madagascar---5-kg--6-8-cm.jpg?v=1779380712"},{"product_id":"tumbled-agate-madagascar-5-kg-4-65-cm-0ma00m","title":"Tumbled Agate – Madagascar – 5 kg (4-6.5 cm) - 0MA00M","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 kg of Madagascar Agate, approximately 4 - 6.5 cm in size and weighing approximately 35 - 70 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Madagascar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal Weight: 5kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate Weight Range: 35 - 70g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate Size of individual pieces: 4 - 6.5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlease Note: Photos are for illustration only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028139708741,"sku":"0MA00M","price":574.61,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/10776-9_tumbled-agate---madagascar---5-kg--4-6-5-cm.jpg?v=1779380717"},{"product_id":"amber-polished-lithuania-1000g-xj011","title":"Amber (polished) – Lithuania – 1000g - XJ011","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Lithuania\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal weight: 1000 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate weight of individual pieces: 1.8 - 6.7g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate size: from 23 mm to 46 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028144066885,"sku":"XJ011","price":1745.19,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/56975_photoroom-015-20260124-212949.jpg?v=1779380834"},{"product_id":"amber-gdansk-poland-100g-xj002","title":"Amber – Gdańsk, Poland – 100g - XJ002","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Gdańsk, Poland\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal weight: 100 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate size: from 25 mm to 53 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight range: 3 – 9.5g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028144132421,"sku":"XJ002","price":226.23,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/6387-1_amber---gdansk--poland---100g.jpg?v=1779380835"},{"product_id":"amber-polished-lithuania-1000g-xj010","title":"Amber (polished) – Lithuania – 1000g - XJ010","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Lithuania\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal weight: 1000 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate weight of individual pieces: 0-0.7g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate size: 0 mm to 15 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028144361797,"sku":"XJ010","price":355.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/56972_photoroom-008-20260124-212949.jpg?v=1779380842"},{"product_id":"vanadinite-3-5-cm-morocco-1000g-vo5","title":"Vanadinite 3-5 cm – Morocco 1000g - VO5","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize: 3 - 5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNumber of pieces: 54\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: approx. 1000g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe photos show the specific lot you will receive.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028144787781,"sku":"VO5","price":161.6,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/25526_vanadinite-3-5-cm---morocco-1000g.jpg?v=1779380852"},{"product_id":"amber-polished-lithuania-1000g-xj008","title":"Amber (polished) – Lithuania – 1000g - XJ008","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Lithuania\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal weight: 1000 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate weight of individual pieces: 0-0.1g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate size: from 1 mm to 13 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028144820549,"sku":"XJ008","price":161.6,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/56966_amber--polished--lithuania---1000g.jpg?v=1779380855"},{"product_id":"carpathian-obsidians-348g-hedgehog-slovakia-objvel5","title":"Carpathian Obsidians 34.8g (Riccio) – Slovakia - OBJVEL5","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Carpathians, Slovakia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal Weight: 34.8g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight range: 1.4-4.1g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNumber of pieces: 15\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDETAILED DESCRIPTION\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eSlovakian Obsidian – hedgehog\nThis recently discovered type of Obsidian is among the most beautiful Obsidians in the world. It is distinguished from other Obsidians by its distinctive deep texture, which resembles South Bohemian Moldavite (it is very similar to the Besednice Jezkovna). Its sculpture was formed by rapid cooling, surface cracking, and the subsequent slow action of soil acids at the specific site, just like in the case of Moldavite. The exact location is currently kept secret to protect the area from diggers and potential landscape devastation. We believe that once the precise discovery site is revealed and scientifically examined, interest in this Obsidian with its rare and aesthetic appearance will grow rapidly worldwide – especially due to its significant potential for use in the jewelry industry.\nQuantity and exceptional pieces\nAn estimated 5 kg has been discovered. The average weight of individual pieces is around 3 g. Finds exceeding 10 g are rare. The largest specimen discovered so far weighs an incredible 54 g.\nForgeries and authenticity guarantee\nWe have recorded the presence of forgeries on the market, created by drilling into known Obsidians from Brehov. Forgers attempt to imitate the sculpture, but the result is usually imperfect – drill marks are often visible. A layperson may not recognize a forgery at first glance. Therefore, we recommend being careful about the origin of purchased Obsidian. Our specimens come directly from the finder and we guarantee their authenticity.\nThis distinctly sculpted Obsidian was described in the 2024 book Glassy Wonders.\nEastern Slovakian Obsidian – volcanic glass with exceptional color spectrum\nGeneral\nObsidian 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.\nHistory\nThe 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, but it has been shown that these tools were also used during the Neolithic. 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 Slovakian Obsidian as a raw material for the production of chipped tools has far exceeded its local significance. Therefore, Eastern Slovakian Obsidian was distributed throughout Central and Eastern Europe and across the Balkans to the Mediterranean.\nA little chemistry\nObsidian 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.\nThe 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.\nThe 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!\nInteresting \/ Potential\nAs 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.\nInterest 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 Moldavite. Its current low price makes it an ideal investment stone for the future.\nObsidian 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.\nIt 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.\nIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028145180997,"sku":"OBJVEL5","price":1911.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/57128_carpathian-obsidians-34-8g--hedgehog--slovakia.jpg?v=1779380867"},{"product_id":"indochinite-500g-guangdong-china-gvel02","title":"Indochinite 500g – Guangdong, China - GVEL02","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Maoming City - Guangdong, China\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 500g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize: 3 - 4.9 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028146098501,"sku":"GVEL02","price":232.69,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/53345_indochinite-500g---guangdong--china.jpg?v=1779380895"},{"product_id":"vanadinite-5-8-cm-morocco-1250g-vo4","title":"Vanadinite 5-8 cm – Morocco 1250g - VO4","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize 5-8 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNumber of pieces: 23\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: approx. 1250g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe photos show the specific lot you will receive.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028152291653,"sku":"VO4","price":161.6,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/25523_vanadinite-5-8-cm---morocco-1250g.jpg?v=1779381106"},{"product_id":"tumbled-amber-indonesia-200g-random-selection-jvel02","title":"Tumbled Amber – Indonesia – 200g \/ random selection - JVEL02","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Indonesia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal weight: 200 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate weight of individual pieces: 3-8g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate size: from 2 cm to 3 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlease Note: This is a random selection, you will receive a similar lot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028167594309,"sku":"JVEL02","price":219.77,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/56960_tumbled-amber---indonesia---200g-random-selection.jpg?v=1779381329"},{"product_id":"labradorite-madagascar-20-pcs-3-4cm-vo3","title":"Labradorite – Madagascar 20 pcs (3-4cm) - VO3","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Madagascar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePackaging: 20 pieces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize: approx. 3-4 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePackage Weight: approx. 800g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe photo is illustrative. You will receive a similar lot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSurface finish: Polished\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028181651781,"sku":"VO3","price":103.36,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/25517_photoroom-000-20241114-164017.jpg?v=1779381608"},{"product_id":"moos-agate-30-pieces-xxxx37","title":"Moss agate – 30 pieces - XXXX37","description":"\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eDimensions: 3 - 4.2 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028194201925,"sku":"XXXX37","price":303.79,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/47480_moos-agate---30-pieces.jpg?v=1779381685"},{"product_id":"amber-lithuania-900g-xj003","title":"Amber – Lithuania – 900g - XJ003","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Lithuania\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal Weight: 900g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate Size: from 0 mm to 25 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58028241322309,"sku":"XJ003","price":468.61,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/20953_fullsizerender.jpg?v=1779381903"},{"product_id":"amber-with-a-drilled-hole-polished-lithuania-255g-jvel03","title":"Amber with hole (polished) – Lithuania – 255g - 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