Healing Crystals Co.

Green Obsidian: Complete Guide (Updated 2024)

green cut crystal rock on a gray cloth background

In this post, we reveal everything you need to know about green obsidian, including its meaning, properties, and how to use it. Let's dive in!

Introduction

There are few crystals as mesmerizing as green obsidian. A natural piece can transport you into the depths of the ocean, and the expansion of space, simultaneously. Here’s everything you need to know about this phenomenal glass, and how it might help change your life. 

In this article we discuss the following:

  • Is Green Obsidian Natural?
  • Green Obsidian Meaning
  • Where is Green Obsidian Found?
    • Green Obsidian from Brazil
    • Green Obsidian from Mexico
    • Green Obsidian from Oregon
  • Green Obsidian Properties
    • Green Obsidian Metaphysical Properties
  • Green Obsidian for Sale
    • Where to Buy Green Obsidian
  • How to Cleanse Green Obsidian
  • Types of Green Obsidian
    • Natural Green Obsidian
    • Burns Green Obsidian
    • Raw Green Obsidian
    • Blue Green Obsidian
    • Green Snowflake Obsidian
    • Tumbled Green Obsidian
    • Green Obsidian Rough
    • Tibetan Green Obsidian
    • Fake Green Obsidian
  • Green Obsidian Uses
    • Green Obsidian Arrowhead
    • Green Obsidian Knife
    • Green Obsidian Sphere
    • Green Obsidian Palm Stone
  • Green Obsidian Price
  • Green Obsidian Jewelry
    • Green Obsidian Necklace
    • Green Obsidian Ring
    • Green Obsidian Beads

Is Green Obsidian Natural?

green cut crystal rock close up view white surface

Certain forms of green obsidian rock are natural, and other forms are not. Green obsidian is rare, and there are very minor deposits in some countries that are producing stones that appear in green ray energy, naturally. 

Usually, dark green obsidian is safe to consider natural, as it occurs when there is both iron and magnesium present during formation. It’s important to remember that obsidian is a stone that occurs when volcanic lava cools at an incredibly rapid rate. This is why it has a distinct glass-like appearance, unlike any other crystal on the market. 

Certain shades of green obsidian can also occur if there were gas bubbles within the lava at the time of crystallization. Obsidian is mostly composed of silicon dioxide. 

There are forms of manmade green obsidian that would not be able to be defined as natural. These are usually created by simply using glass and dye. 

Green Obsidian Meaning

Technically, it’s against all odds that green obsidian stone even came to be. There is clearly a universal need for this stone, or it would have remained in black ray energy as we’ve become accustomed to finding it. 

Green obsidian is a daily, gentle reminder that nature is holding us in its care in a very careful way. A reminder that everything we need in order to make it through life will eventually manifest in whatever form it needs to. 

Obsidian has a longstanding history amongst native and ancient civilizations. We’ll dive deeper into how these stones were used by ancient people shortly, but first there are a few things you need to know about these stones. 

Where is Green Obsidian Found?

Green Obsidian from Brazil 

One of the most likely places for all shades of obsidian to occur are within the volcanic mines of Brazil. These green obsidian mines don't always have stones on offer, but every few years a discovery is made whereby obsidian has turned green, blue or even cherry red, thanks to the necessary minerals appearing within the rock formations. 

Green Obsidian from Mexico 

The majority of the obsidian circulating the world is likely to have come from the Hidalgo obsidian mine in Mexico. These ancient deposits date back to times that none of us can likely comprehend, and are still to this day offering crystallized lava in relative abundance. 

Green obsidian from Mexico is generally always natural; there are typically no manmade manufacturing processes for green obsidian in Mexico.  You may also find that these crystals retail at higher prices compared to that of Brazil or Oregon. The reason for this is unknown, though likely due to outdated trade agreements or complicated international relations. 

Green Obsidian from Oregon 

A number of years ago, the Glass Buttes region of Oregon proved to be one of the most generous obsidian deposits on the planet. The terrain is a series of hills and ridges, and is now renowned for holding several different obsidian deposits beneath the Earth’s crust. 

In recent years, the array of green obsidian in this region seems to be growing, as more and more excavations are occurring. The green obsidian here holds a more muggy hue to it, and has a more clay-like appearance, though it is very clearly still glass. 

Green Obsidian Properties

Green Obsidian Metaphysical Properties 

Regular black obsidian is a grounding stone that is concerned with the root chakra, and the root chakra only. When this crystal makes the shift into green ray energy, it expands in abilities and seems to want to work more with the upper chakras, as opposed to the lower. 

hand holding large slab of green crystal rock close up details

If there are any blockages on the path of your spiritual journey, they will be done away with in record time when green obsidian is near. More than this, the stone will perform exactly as black obsidian would, and physically protect you from negative energy that is seeking to hold you back. 

Despite being of green ray energy, this is an Earth-oriented stone and will still work to ground you, even if it is focusing on your upper chakras. If you typically struggle to connect with nature, these crystals will make sure that this issue becomes a thing of the past. 

It’s considered to be a truth-enhancer, in both the user and the people that surround them. If you suffer from chronic mental stress and tension in your physical body as a result, green obsidian can work to neutralize these experiences. 

Emotional healing is the speciality of these green stones. They seem to understand the human emotional spectrum like no other crystal, and can balance our thoughts and feelings so that we are never left out of control.  

Green Obsidian for Sale

Where to Buy Green Obsidian 

Truth be told, your best bet to buy green obsidian is probably on worldwide e-commerce platforms. Through these sites, you’ll be connected with specialized crystal collectors and dealers from around the planet, many of whom will have natural green obsidian in some shape or form. 

If this is not a viable option, or you are skeptical about these kinds of sites, then we’d recommend using a specialized crystal retailer to source a piece of green obsidian. It’s important that you take the time to look into the authenticity of the store in question, as there are many retailers out there who are happy to dupe customers with counterfeit obsidian stones made out of glass. 

Unfortunately, telling real obsidian from fake can be near impossible for the untrained eye. If you suspect you may have an inauthentic stone, take it to your nearest esoteric store and inquire as to whether someone can assist in determining whether it is real as opposed to fake. 

How to Cleanse Green Obsidian

Obsidian rocks are not self-cleansing crystals, and they need your intervention at least once a month in order to remain in prime working condition. While obsidian is a water-safe crystal, there is risk to these stones should said water be of too extreme a temperature. 

Too hot or too cold water has the potential to break the obsidian glass, which would render the crystal unusable. Take care when using a water-based cleansing method; room temperature water works best. 

Use any of the following methods for cleansing your green obsidian stone:

  • Hold the stone under running water for up to one minute, and then towel dry. 
  • Submerge green obsidian in saltwater, leaving it to cleanse for up to 24 hours. 
  • On the night of the full moon, leave green obsidian outside and retrieve it the following day. 
  • Bury green obsidian in the garden, and leave it to cleanse under the Earth for up to 48 hours. 
  • Place green obsidian on a bed of Himalayan salt, and leave it here for as long as possible. You can even store your stones like this, allowing them to charge whenever they are not in use. 
  • Burn incense or sacred herbs over your stones, setting the intention for cleansing using your mind’s eye. 

Types of Green Obsidian

Natural Green Obsidian 

A lot of people only want green obsidian that is real, which is totally understandable. Natural green obsidian is that which occurs within existing obsidian deposits, when iron and magnesium are present during the crystallization process. 

Natural green obsidian may appear in different hues, depending on the levels of minerals in the Earth. Some will be translucent, while others may have a dull green hue that looks a bit like clay.

Burns Green Obsidian 

pieces of smooth green stones semi transparent coin size comparison

When obsidian is excavated from the mines in Oregon, it is usually called Burns green obsidian. Burns is the name of the area, and it’s known for having rich deposits of green ray stones, more so than any other mine in the country. 

Burns green obsidian is usually sold for slightly more affordable prices compared to obsidian from Mexico or Brazil. 

Raw Green Obsidian 

A lot of people are caught off guard when they see what green obsidian looks like before it has been cut and polished. Hardened volcanic glass can look a lot like translucent jello, or even like murky dried clay. 

Raw green obsidian makes for a great at home display piece, but it is generally not ideal for use on the human body. The edges can be sharp or glass-like, which can cause discomfort on human skin. 

Tumbled raw obsidian is far more preferable for physical skin contact. 

Blue Green Obsidian 

Obsidian can occur in blue ray energy, just as easily as it occurs in green. Both require a significant amount of iron to be present during crystallization, and it is only green that requires magnesium. 

Because of this, a blue obsidian stone may start to shift into green while beneath the Earth. If excavated in time, it can sit between blue and green, looking like the perfect mixture of both. 

Many would describe these stones as somewhat aquamarine. 

Green Snowflake Obsidian 

Snowflake obsidian is a mottled looking black and white crystal that looks as though gentle snowflakes have scattered themselves across the surface. This requires its own very specific conditions during formation and, when exposed to iron and magnesium in addition to these, a green-hued snowflake obsidian will be the result. 

These are incredibly uncommon, albeit beautiful. If you’re ever in the position of becoming the owner of one, take the opportunity and run with it!

Tumbled Green Obsidian 

As mentioned, raw green obsidian usually needs to be tumbled before it is fit for most conventional crystal healing purposes. The raw stones have sharp ridges that may be inconvenient to work with, especially when placing crystals directly on the body. 

To get rid of these edges, raw crystals are placed into something called a tumbling machine. The stones are tumbled around for quite some time, until the sharp sides have been slowly faded out. 

fingers holding green crystal rock against sunlight

Crystal beads are also made by tumbling stones so much that they eventually become spheres or ovals. 

Green Obsidian Rough 

Not all raw obsidian is rough obsidian. These two terms are used in very different ways, and it can be helpful to know the difference when navigating the market.

Civilizations from centuries ago would not have had access to crystal tumbling technology in the way that we do today. All they had were their handheld tools, and they would have to use these for cutting and shaping the crystals into their most desired forms. 

A rough cut green obsidian is something like an arrowhead, or crystal needle. It’s been hand cut and shaped so that it is no longer sharply edged, giving the illusion of a somewhat smooth exterior, though nowhere near the appearance of a stone that has been tumbled and polished. 

Tibetan Green Obsidian 

Tibetan green obsidian is sourced from the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet. It was once a generous, flourishing obsidian deposit, and it remains the highest altitude major river in the world. 

This is a 100% natural form of green obsidian, and most of the stones have been mined and are now in retail rotation around the world. 

It’s become quite a trend amongst jewelry makers to use only Tibetan green obsidian in their pieces. These necklaces, earrings and rings cost a pretty penny, but they will last a lifetime. 

Fake Green Obsidian 

As mentioned, there is a massive counterfeit crystal market for those stones that can be replicated with ease. 

Fake green obsidian is made using glass and dye, and is relatively easy to pass off as a real, polished stone. This is why you need to always purchase green obsidian from a reputable source, and steer clear of any deals that seem just too good to be true. 

Fake green obsidian is more likely to ship out of China and other parts of the east, while authentic stones are shipping directly out of the United States and South America. 

Green Obsidian Uses

Green Obsidian Arrowhead 

The USA has had an abundance of obsidian on offer for many, many centuries. Native American tribes across the land realized early on that these rocks possessed many benefits, both physical and spiritual. 

A lot of tools were fashioned out of obsidian rock over the years, with arrowheads being the most notable. Keep in mind that obsidian is twice as strong as regular window glass, so these arrowheads made for very effective spears and weapons. 

It’s not likely that your local crystal shop will have green obsidian arrowheads for you to purchase. These are now historic, collectable objects and it is only really specialized sellers who have them on hand. 

Green Obsidian Knife 

Similar to arrowheads, obsidian can easily be fashioned into hunting and cutting weapons such as knives. 

When cut property, black obsidian is actually considered to be the sharpest knife in the world. Its green counterpart is equally as effective, though more prone to breakage due to the magnesium composite. 

green cut crystal rock on a gray cloth background

Green obsidian knives date back to ancient times, with remnants having been found in China and Egypt. Today, you could have an obsidian knife made to order, provided you can find a large enough piece of obsidian. 

Green Obsidian Sphere 

When stones are tumbled, they can be shaped into ovals or spheres when tumbled long enough. 

An obsidian sphere typically looks like a palm-sized crystal ball, offering a green or blue hue, depending on the ray in which they crystallized. Some equate these spheres to snow globes, with the green and blue versions looking a lot like a scene from the ocean floor. 

Green obsidian spheres are incredibly easy to counterfeit, as balls of green glass are not the most difficult thing to get one’s hands on. There is a lot of inauthentic retail going on with these objects, especially now that owning them is becoming quite an Instagram fad. 

Green Obsidian Palm Stone 

A green obsidian palm stone is a flat, tumbled piece of obsidian that fits perfectly into the palm of an adult’s hand. They are a lot like the kinds of stones one would skip over water were they to be found next to a river; not entirely flat, but nowhere near as 3D as a raw crystal. 

Green obsidian palm stones can be used during meditation, as they fit perfectly into your hands. They can also be used for the age-old technique known as gua sha: a practice whereby lymphatic fluid is pushed through the skin using a piece of semi-polished crystal. 

Green Obsidian Price

By now, you probably have an inkling that becoming an owner of green obsidian is going to cost you. 

The price of natural green obsidian tends to fluctuate quite drastically, depending on the seller in question, and where exactly the stone was sourced or is currently living. 

Expect to pay anywhere from $35 to $70 for a relatively small amount of green obsidian, usually in the form of individual tumbled stones. A palm sized piece of natural green obsidian will likely set you back around $50. Untreated stones, roughly the size of your thumb nail, can be found selling for over $100 at times. 

Once these crystals are set into jewelry, it’s an entirely different ball game. There are natural green obsidian rings retailing for upward of $200. 

Green Obsidian Jewelry

Green Obsidian Necklace 

The thing about crystal jewelry is that it is one of the best ways of enjoying the benefits of the stone at all times of the day. We love green obsidian necklaces as they sit very close to the heart chakra, which is the energy center that is most compatible with green ray energy. 

Similarly, green obsidian likes to be on the upper end of the body, where it can send its vibrations gently into the throat, third eye and crown. 

Find green obsidian necklaces online, or contact a speciality crystal jeweler and request they create something that is perfectly suited to your taste. 

Green Obsidian Ring 

Green obsidian rings are becoming increasingly popular, with some people even preferring them to diamonds in the context of marriage. 

Tibetan green obsidian is frequently used to make these pieces, and owning one really is a rarity and collectable experience. These are the kinds of rings that go on to become heirlooms for people 30 or 40 years down the line. 

A green obsidian ring serves as an effective daily reminder that energetic healing is underway, and you are constantly being held by the frequency of the stone. Even just catching a glimpse of these crystals as you go about your day will have a positive impact on your aura and energetic state. 

Green Obsidian Beads 

Tumbled beads made out of green obsidian are potentially the most affordable way to reap the crystal’s benefits via jewelry. Granted, you’ll have to make your own pieces, but it does allow you to get quite creative and put something really special together on your own. 

Green obsidian beads make fantastic crystal bracelets. Wearing crystals near your wrists is the best way to absorb any physical healing properties that the stone may possess, as the wrists are a direct path into the bloodstream. 

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this article! If you are interested in incorporating crystals into your life to help combat anxiety, you should consider a mindful breathing necklace made of a crystal that resonates with you. Mindful breathing jewelry made of crystals not only help provide the benefits of the crystal you choose to wear, but they can also be used to help slow your breath, leading to a greater sense of calm and serenity. Also, if you are interested in reading more about anxiety and crystals, check out our comprehensive blog post on the 13 Best Crystals for Depression!

Did You Enjoy This Article?

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this article, you might also like the following articles: Black Obsidian Crystals: Complete Guide and Blue Obsidian: Complete Guide

Relevant Products:

Mindful Breathing Necklace

Gua Sha Tool

Face Roller

6 comments

Dec 20, 2023 • Posted by Kaera Phillip

I have obsidian green

Jan 17, 2023 • Posted by Charles Pulsford

I have a stone sometimes it looks almost black then with some light blue and even green it has a matrix on one of the top side. It is rough and weighs about 9 pounds has bubbles inside

Sep 09, 2021 • Posted by Healing Crystals Co.

Hi Keith, thanks for your comment! That sounds like an awesome crystal!

Sep 09, 2021 • Posted by Keith taetuna

I found a big dark green glassy rock in the south end of Hawaii the big island in the milolii area

Jun 25, 2021 • Posted by Healing Crystals Co.

Hi Rita, thanks for your comment! Thanks for sharing – that’s so interesting! I am sure you have a special affinity for this stone given the family connection!

Jun 25, 2021 • Posted by Rita Collins

My dad dug mine up in Tennessee about sixty years ago.

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