How is obsidian used today

Obsidian was valued and often used for stone tool making. Similar to flint, the smooth glassy structure, the hardness and density of the rock allowed predictable and extremely precise knapping. The edge of a freshly broken obsidian rock is sharper than that of a surgical scalpel. The sharp edges and the extreme precision of knapping it allowed made obsidian a highly valuable object even after metalworking had been invented. For its extreme sharpness, modern surgeons have continued to utilize obsidian tools in their work, especially in precise surgeries.

Specifically, Dr. Lee Green at the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta says it is not uncommon for him to use obsidian blades in his work. Green has observed that following procedures with obsidian scalpels, patients experience much less scarring than in the same procedure done with steel tools. A modern obsidian scalpel. These scalpels can be used for precise cutting in surgery. While it may seem odd to be using tools from the stone age in modern medicine, the blades being used today are different than those of ancient humans.

In stone age obsidian was used as a cutting tool for making any sharp tool and it is still used as a cutting tool in modern surgeries. It is also used as a jewellery by making beads of obsidian. The conchoidal fracture of obsidian causes it to break into pieces with curved surfaces.

This type of fracturing can produce rock fragments with very sharp edges. These sharp fragments may have prompted the first use of obsidian by people. The first use of obsidian by people probably occurred when a sharp piece of obsidian was used as a cutting tool. People then discovered how to skillfully break the obsidian to produce cutting tools in a variety of shapes. Obsidian was used to make knives, arrowheads, spear points, scrapers, and many other weapons and tools. Once these discoveries were made, obsidian quickly became the raw material of preference for producing almost any sharp object.

The easy-to-recognise rock became one of the first targets of organised "mining. Although using a rock as a cutting tool might sound like "stone age equipment," obsidian continues to play an important role in modern surgery.

Obsidian can be used to produce a cutting edge that is thinner and sharper than the best surgical steel. Today, thin blades of obsidian are placed in surgical scalpels used for some of the most precise surgery. In controlled studies, the performance of obsidian blades was equal to or superior to the performance of surgical steel. Obsidian is a popular gemstone. It is often cut into beads and cabochons or used to manufacture tumbled stones. Obsidian is sometimes faceted and polished into highly reflective beads.

Some transparent specimens are faceted to produce interesting gems. The use of obsidian in jewellery can be limited by its durability. It has a hardness of about 5. It also lacks toughness and is easily broken or chipped upon impact.

Once these discoveries were made, obsidian quickly became the raw material of preference for producing almost any sharp object. The easy-to-recognize rock became one of the first targets of organized "mining. Apache tears: "Apache Tears" is a name used for small obsidian nodules of about one inch or less that can be found in volcanic areas of the southwestern United States.

Their name comes from a Native American legend. During a battle between Apaches and the U. Cavalry in , the outnumbered Apaches, facing defeat, rode their horses over a cliff rather than allow themselves to be killed by their enemy.

Upon hearing the story of the battle, the tears of their family members turned to stone when they hit the ground. Those stones are now found as the black obsidian nodules. People who do rock tumbling often polish Apache Tears. They are difficult to polish because the obsidian chips and bruises easily. Success occurs when they are cushioned during the tumbling with smaller pieces of rough or small ceramic media. The manufacture of obsidian tools by humans dates back to the Stone Age. At some locations, tons of obsidian flakes reveal the presence of ancient "factories.

Making arrowheads, spear points, knife blades, and scrapers from obsidian, chert , or flint might have been the world's first "manufacturing industry. Obsidian was so valued for these uses that ancient people mined, transported, and traded obsidian and obsidian objects over distances of up to a thousand miles. Archaeologists have been able to document the geography of this trade by matching the characteristics of obsidian in outcrops with the characteristics of obsidian in cutting tools.

A study done by the Idaho National Laboratory used composition studies by X-ray fluorescence to identify the source outcrops of obsidian artifacts and map their use across the western United States. Although using a rock as a cutting tool might sound like "stone age equipment," obsidian continues to play an important role in modern surgery. Obsidian can be used to produce a cutting edge that is thinner and sharper than the best surgical steel.

Today, thin blades of obsidian are placed in surgical scalpels used for some of the most precise surgery. In controlled studies, the performance of obsidian blades was equal to or superior to the performance of surgical steel.

Obsidian jewelry: Mahogany obsidian and snowflake obsidian cabochons set in sterling silver pendants. Obsidian for opal triplets: A thin piece of obsidian is often used as a "backing" material for opal doublets and triplets. The black obsidian adds stability to the opal and provides a dark background color that contrasts with the opal's fire. Obsidian is a popular gemstone. It is often cut into beads and cabochons or used to manufacture tumbled stones. Obsidian is sometimes faceted and polished into highly reflective beads.