Silver sheen obsidian is a sought-after variety of natural volcanic glass. It has an metallic sheen that makes it stand out from other types of obsidian. But is silver sheen obsidian truly natural or is it artificially created?
Obsidian itself forms when felsic lava from a volcano cools rapidly with minimal crystal growth. This gives obsidian its signature smooth, glassy texture. Natural obsidian can form in a range of colors like black, brown, red, orange, green, or yellow. Special varieties like rainbow obsidian, gold sheen obsidian, and silver sheen obsidian display distinctive optical effects.
Silver sheen obsidian gets its name from the silvery metallic sheen visible on its surface. This sheen can range from a subtle glow to a highly reflective mirror-like effect. The cause of this phenomenon has been studied extensively by geologists and materials scientists. They overwhelmingly conclude that the silver sheen in this type of obsidian is a completely natural process.
The sheen is caused by nanoscale spheres of a mineral called magnetite. These tiny magnetite nanoparticles precipitate out of the obsidian during the cooling process and arrange themselves in layered planes inside the glass. When light hits these layered planes, it reflects and refracts to produce an silver effect.
Researchers have conclusively shown that the magnetite nanospheres form naturally as the obsidian cools. Their size, shape and distribution follows directly from the chemical composition and cooling dynamics of the lava. There are no signs of artificial tampering. Analyses also reveal trace elements and water content consistent with obsidian from volcanic origins.
Additional evidence comes from the geologic settings where silver sheen obsidian is found. It occurs exclusively in regions with past volcanic activity, often alongside other types of natural obsidian. For example, deposits have been found in Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, and Mexico. The silver sheen obsidian is geologically integrated with surrounding rocks and shows no contradicting evidence of human fabrication.
Some man-made materials like metallic coatings can imitate an silver sheen. However, these do not have the same internal nanoscale structure as silver sheen obsidian. They are also readily identified as artificial when analyzed in the lab. There are no confirmed incidents of convincingly artificial silver sheen obsidian.
Overwhelming geological and materials science evidence concludes that silver sheen obsidian is a purely natural phenomenon. Its distinctive sheen comes from nanoscale magnetite particles that form when obsidian cools from volcanic lava. The silver sheen effect seen in obsidian samples from around the world is definitively organic rather than manufactured. When purchasing silver sheen obsidian, buyers can be assured it originated completely naturally from volcanic processes.
