Obsidian in not a type of stone but a type of naturally made glass that has been formed by volcanic activity. It is therefore sometimes called ‘volcanic glass'. It's widely used in Mexico and India in cheap jewelry and it's black, flecked surface makes for beautiful, affordable pieces. It's available everywhere in large quantities and is relatively very cheap to buy, though it isn't very durable, rating a 5 on the Moh scale. Being a natural formation, obsidian may be found in all grades of transparency and opaqueness that are smoky grey-black or brown in color; some with dull finish and some truly iridescent with a shining, polished looking patina. ‘Snowflake' obsidian is the basic black color flecked with small white dots that resemble snowflakes