Obsidian was a highly valued stone in Prehispanic cultures because, like flint, it could be fractured to produce sharp blades and arrowheads. Like all glass and some other types of naturally occurring rocks, Obsidian breaks with a characteristic conchoidal fracture. It was also highly polished to create early mirrors, which you will notice with our cabochon photos, they reflect everything around them - like a mirror. "Itzli" is the Nahuatl word for obsidian.

Please Note: In some of the obsidian cabochon photos there are reflections and white specks (dust). These cabs are mirror polished and anything within a 360° radius is reflected like a mirror and every minute speck of dust flowing through the air is attracted like a magnet - these stones are gem quality specimens and have no flaws, you can also view our Testimonals .