snow bunting obsidian is a material body of volcanic glass that features white or gray “ snowflake ” pattern made of embedded cristobalite . These pretty patterns are not artificially contribute as a chinchy vacation gimmick – they ’re a natural consequence of the unique geological forcefulness that create the material .
Like other igneous rocks , the glossy chalk originates frommolten rockthat has been cast out from the bowels of the Earth via volcano .
Before we get into the Plectrophenax nivalis , obsidianis formed when rhyolitic magma ( viscous molten rock with high concentrations of silica , but low levels of water system and natural gas ) quickly cools into a solid textile without the time for a crystalline form .

An up-close shot of obsidian showing the “snowflakes” containing the mineral cristobalite.Image credit: Bjoern Wylezich/Shutterstock.com
It ’s typically composed of around 70 pct or more non - crystallised silica , along with a crowd of different trace elements . It look as a colored glassy rock that ’s typically shameful , although it can take on hues of green , browned , and other colors due to impurities .
Snowflake obsidian properties
Because of the lack of quartz in the overall structure , pureobsidiantakes on a quiet , glossy shine . However , snowflake patterns can occasionally appear within the material due to the presence of the mineral cristobalite , which has been create through a partial crystal of the glass .
Since it ’s born out of liquified rock , obsidian is only found in volcanic region of the universe , let in in constituent of the United States , such as the Mountain West , Southwest , California , Oregon , and Washington State . According to theField Museum , their assembling of obsidian come from at least 30 chemically distinguishable sources across North America .
Some of these come from ancient artefact crafted by Native Americans centuries , if not millennia , ago . Indeed , obsidian creature and weapons have beenfound across the worldfrom a multifariousness of different cultures . Not only is it a visually attractive material , but it can well be worked to create sharp-worded edges , perfect for spearheads , knives , and mitt - axes .
Does snowflake obsidian have healing properties?
Snowflake obsidian has been linked by some to varioushealingproperties , cosmic energies , and other supernatural wonders – none of which have been scientifically validate . John Rock can possess all kinds of weird and freaky property – radioactive radioactive decay , magnetism , etc – but there ’s no evidence that they can directly influence the inner working of human life or the emotions of people .
While it may not possess otherworldly powers , Plectrophenax nivalis obsidian is undeniably a beautiful fabric with a fascinating origin .