Chatoyant black obsidian cabochon                 
 note: the chatoyancy of this gemstone comes into play only under direct light.  

In gemology, chatoyancy or chatoyance, is an optical  reflectance effect seen in certain Obsidian if cut to expose pattern of  "cat's eye," chatoyancy arises either from the fibrous structure of a material.

This beautiful specimen is from Mexico where it has been specially cut to expose wonderful heart pattern

Note you need direct sunlight to see pattern as we have used internal fluorescent  lights

Cut by professional mexican cutters so show off heart shape pattern

size 45 X 42 X 21 mm

ANCIENT MAYAN CIVILIZATION & OBSIDIAN

For the Mayan Obsidian is a precious tool.

Obsidian is a volcanic lava that was cooled quickly therefore it didn't have time to

crystallise and didn't have any mineral component. Obsidian has been known to be

a part of the Mayan culture because of its glass like formation, it had been used

predominantly to cut and are shaped like blades.

Obsidian is often compared to Granite because it has silica composition.

Obsidians are smoky grey, can also be translucent with grey or black bands.

Sometimes Obsidians can have a variety of bands that can be red or grey

or even opaque colors and often can be combinations of all these.

The first discovery of blades were not useful not like the blades that were shaped

with a triangle cross section which were known as prismatic blade which are

stronger and which were popularly used by the Mayan as cutting tool.

Obsidians can be found in all Maya sacred sites

.The Obsidian blades had been used for hunting, farming, cooking( for cutting

meat like rabbits or even rodents,etc.

Obsidian had been notably documented are carved into knives, darts, woodworking,

bone working tools and spearheads during battle.

Obsidians can be cut to its sharpest blades and cutting edge technology now uses

them in medical operations because they make clean cuts therefore it makes for

the rapid healing of any scar tissues.