• Location: Carpathians, Slovakia
• Weight: 1.2g
• Dimensions: 1.4 x 1 x 0.8 cm
• DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Slovakian obsidian – hedgehog This recently discovered type of obsidian is considered among the most beautiful obsidians in the world. It stands out from other obsidians due to its characteristic deep texture, reminiscent of the Moldavites from Southern Bohemia (very similar to Besednice Jezkovna). Its natural sculpting was formed through rapid cooling, surface fracturing, and subsequent slow action of soil acids at the specific site, just like in the case of moldavites. The exact location is currently kept secret to protect the area from diggers and possible landscape devastation. It is believed that, once the precise discovery location is revealed and scientifically studied, interest in this rare and aesthetically pleasing obsidian will rapidly grow worldwide, especially due to its great potential in the jewelry industry. Quantity and exceptional pieces It is estimated that approximately 5 kg of material has been discovered. The average weight of individual pieces is about 3 g. Finds exceeding 10 g are rare. The largest specimen discovered so far weighs an incredible 54 g. Counterfeits and authenticity guarantee Counterfeits have already been reported on the market, created by drilling known obsidians from Brehov. Counterfeiters try to imitate the natural sculpting, but the result is often imperfect, and drill marks are visible. An inexperienced person might not immediately recognize a fake. For this reason, we recommend paying attention to the origin of the purchased obsidian. Our specimens come directly from the discoverer, and we guarantee their authenticity. This obsidian with marked natural sculpting was described in the 2024 book Glassy Wonders. Eastern Slovakia Obsidian – volcanic glass with an exceptional color spectrum General information Obsidian is a type of volcanic glass, a rock formed by magmatic activity when incandescent lava rapidly comes into contact with a cold environment and solidifies quickly. The rock is very rich in silica compounds and is a natural form of glass. It is usually dark in color, ranging from black to gray or red. It is generally opaque, but its transparency increases with decreasing iron oxide content. History The presence of obsidian in Slovakia is relatively limited compared to other local neovolcanic rocks. Our ancestors used it as early as the Paleolithic (2,500,000 years ago) to make cutting tools, but it has been shown that these tools were also used during the Neolithic (5,000 years ago). In Europe, there are only a few primary obsidian deposits suitable for the production of chipped tools, mainly scrapers, spearheads, or knives. Research shows that the importance of Eastern Slovakia obsidian as a raw material for the production of chipped tools far exceeded local significance. For this reason, Eastern Slovakia obsidian 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. Its origin is closely linked to rhyolitic volcanism. Deposits are found in the peripheral parts of large volcanic bodies composed mainly of rhyolite. Obsidian nodules, improperly called "mounds" by collectors, are generally found in rhyolitic tuffs, from which they were subsequently released by erosion, which is why today their shape and surface often resemble Bohemian moldavite. Eastern Slovakia 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 resistance and suitability for the production of chipped tools. The water content is unusually low and ranges between 0.19% and 0.31%. Density varies between 2.3 and 2.4 g/cm³. Porosity is less than 1%, and hardness is between 5 and 5.5 on the Mohs scale. Local obsidian is transparent. Depending on the chemical composition, colors range from black to gray, to bluish and greenish tones, sometimes with silvery reflections. No other obsidian in the world offers such a wide color spectrum. Curiosities and potential Interestingly, the presence of obsidian in Slovakia dates back about 15 million years, at the same time as its Czech "sister," Moldavite, with which it is often compared for its appearance. At a certain distance and with the right lighting, they can be almost indistinguishable, although 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 possible investment stone for the future. Obsidian is easy to work 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 gray-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 as cabochons or slabs but also in faceted cuts due to its transparency. Faceted stones are extremely spectacular and surpass dark gneisses and morions in appearance. Due to its ease of processing, it is also suitable for glyptics 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 glasses has grown mainly due to tektites, other varieties are also receiving increasing attention. The scientific community has organized several conferences dedicated to research on natural glasses. In 1987, one of these took place under the auspices of Charles University. On that occasion, the Granat Turnov cooperative produced silver jewelry with Eastern Slovakia obsidian as the main stone. Requests and orders from abroad continued for several years.