Sheen Obsidian

Big Photo

USA
31.38 carats
© gemselect.com

Sheen Obsidian is a variety of Obsidian which exhibits a golden sheen, caused by gas bubbles remaining from the lava flow, aligned along layers created when the molten rock was flowing before it cooled.

Sheen Obsidian Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 

Sheen Obsidian Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Sheen Obsidian gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:24.01 cts
Heaviest:35.47 cts
Average:28.21 cts
Total photos:9
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24.01ct to 25.16ct25.16ct to 26.30ct26.30ct to 27.45ct27.45ct to 28.59ct28.59ct to 29.74ct29.74ct to 30.89ct30.89ct to 32.03ct32.03ct to 33.18ct33.18ct to 34.32ct34.32ct to 35.47ct
General Information
A variety or type of:Obsidian, which is a variety of Glass
Physical Properties of Sheen Obsidian
Mohs Hardness5 to 5.5
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Specific Gravity2.33 to 2.50 +
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
FractureConchoidal
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Optical Properties of Sheen Obsidian
Refractive Index1.450 to 1.550
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Optical CharacterIsotropic
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Colour
Colour (General)Black, brown with golden sheen
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
TransparencyTransparent,Translucent,Opaque
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
LustreVitreous
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Crystallography of Sheen Obsidian
Crystal SystemAmorphous
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
HabitMassive
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Further Information
Mineral information:Sheen Obsidian information at mindat.org
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