• Location: Carpathians, Slovakia
• Weight: 0.9g
• Size: 1.8 x 1.7 x 0.4 cm
• DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Slovakian Obsidian – Hedgehog This recently discovered type of Slovakian Obsidian is considered among the most beautiful obsidians in the world. It stands out from other obsidians due to its peculiar deep texture, reminiscent of the Moldavites from Southern Bohemia (very similar to Besednice Jezkovna). Its natural sculpting was formed by rapid cooling, surface fracturing, and subsequent slow action of soil acids at the specific site, just as in the case of moldavites. The exact location is currently kept secret to protect the area from diggers and potential landscape devastation. It is believed that once the discovery site is revealed and scientifically studied, interest in this rare and aesthetically pleasing obsidian will grow rapidly worldwide, especially due to its significant potential in the jewelry industry. Quantity and exceptional pieces It is estimated that about 5 kg of material have been discovered. The average weight of individual pieces is approximately 3g. Finds weighing over 10g are rare. The largest specimen discovered so far weighs an incredible 54g. Counterfeits and authenticity guarantee Counterfeits have already been recorded on the market, created by carving known obsidians from Brehov. Counterfeiters try to imitate the natural sculpture, but the result is often imperfect: drill marks are visible. An inexperienced person might not immediately recognize a fake. For this reason, we advise paying attention to the origin of the obsidian purchased. Our specimens come directly from the discoverer, and we guarantee their authenticity. This obsidian with its distinctive natural sculpture was described in the 2024 book Glassy Wonders. Eastern Slovakian Obsidian – volcanic glass with an exceptional color spectrum General information Obsidian is a type of volcanic glass, a rock formed as a result of magmatic activity when incandescent lava rapidly comes into contact with a cold environment and solidifies quickly. The rock is very rich in silica and is a natural form of glass. It is usually dark in color—black, gray, or red—but its transparency increases with decreasing iron oxides. History The presence of obsidian in Slovakia is relatively limited compared to other local neovolcanic rocks. Our ancestors already used it in the Paleolithic (about 2,500,000 years ago) to produce cutting tools, but it has been shown that these tools were also used in the Neolithic (about 5,000 years ago). In Europe, there are only a few primary obsidian deposits suitable for producing sharp tools such as scrapers, spearheads, or knives. Research shows that the importance of Eastern Slovakian obsidian as a raw material for chipped tool production far exceeded the local context. For this reason, it was distributed throughout Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans as far as the Mediterranean. A bit of chemistry Obsidian is the product of highly acidic lavas from Neogene volcanism and is closely related to rhyolitic volcanism. Its deposits are found in the peripheral parts of large volcanic bodies composed mainly of rhyolite. Obsidian nodules, often improperly called "mounds" by collectors, are generally found in rhyolitic tuffs, from which they were subsequently released by erosion. For this reason, their shape and surface often resemble Bohemian moldavite. Eastern Slovakian obsidian belongs to the group of unaltered acidic volcanic glasses, with a silica (SiO₂) content of about 80%. The high acidity of local lavas resulted in a higher silica content and lower water content than the global average. This explains its greater strength and suitability for producing chipped tools. The water content varies between 0.19% and 0.31%, the density between 2.3 and 2.4 g/cm³, porosity is less than 1%, and hardness varies between 5 and 5.5 on the Mohs scale. Local obsidian is transparent. Depending on the chemical composition, colors vary from black to gray, to bluish and greenish hues, sometimes with silvery reflections. No other obsidian in the world offers such a wide color spectrum. Curiosities and potential Interestingly, Slovakian obsidian dates back about 15 million years, roughly the same period as its Czech "sister," Moldavite, with which it is often compared for appearance. At a certain distance and with the right lighting, they can be almost indistinguishable. However, upon closer inspection, the differences become evident. Interest in obsidians is growing both in Europe and the rest of the world. Slovakian ones stand out for their rarity, limited quantity, unique color, and resemblance to moldavites. Their current relatively low price also makes them a potential investment stone for the future. Obsidian is easy to work with and polish, making it ideal for jewelry and ornamental objects. It is also used to create replicas of Paleolithic tools, beads, and jewelry. It can be collected in the form of small nodules from 1 to about 20 cm in diameter, although most measure between 1 and 5 cm. The predominant color is black or grayish-black. Cut stones achieve a high polish, and the cutting yield is comparable to that of commercial colored chalcedonies. It can be used not only in the form of cabochons or tables but also in faceted cuts due to its transparency. Faceted stones are extremely spectacular and surpass dark gneisses and smoky quartz in appearance. Due to its ease of processing, it is also suitable for glyptic art and carving small decorative figures. In any case, it deserves to be promoted as one of the most interesting materials used since the Stone Age. Although interest in natural glass has grown primarily thanks to tektites, other varieties are also receiving increasing attention. The scientific community has organized several conferences dedicated to research on natural glass. In 1987, one such conference was held under the auspices of Charles University. For the occasion, the Granat Turnov cooperative produced silver jewelry with Eastern Slovakian obsidian as the main stone. Requests and orders from abroad continued for several years.