Obsidian, Snowflake, Natural, Round, One Pendant with Crystal, 26x16mm

Obsidian, Snowflake, Natural, Round, One Pendant with Crystal and

Metal Alloy Bail, 26x16mm

Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed in swiftly cooling lava that has a high silica content. It is not considered a true mineral, as it does not have a consistent chemical content and it does not form crystals. Obsidian is commonly found within the margins of the lava flows known as obsidian flows. It has a glassy texture and a glass like luster. The color in Obsidian varies, depending on impurities in the parent lava formation.  The various shades of Obsidian include black, rainbow, snowflake, gold, and mahogany. Obsidian is hard and brittle and was commonly used for tools.

Snowflake Obsidian is a natural volcanic glass containing the mineral Cristobalite in the form of white "snowflake" crystal patterns. Snowflake obsidian forms in areas of past or present volcanic activity. These areas lie along the tectonic plate boundaries. It is found in many areas of the world where volcanic activity has taken place, including West Coast of the United States. It is also found in Italy, Brazil, Scotland, and Argentina.

Hardness 5.5-6 

This is a natural stone that has had no treatment other than cutting, drilling, and polishing. 

The source of these beads is Brazil and they are cut, drilled and polished in China. 

Metal Alloy is a metal made by combining two or more metallic elements, base metals, to give greater strength or resistance to corrosion. In mining and economics, base metals refer to industrial non-ferrous metals excluding precious metals, like silver, gold, and platinum. Base Metals include copper, aluminum, nickel, tin, zinc antimony, bismuth, lead and many more. Metal Alloy, also known as Pewter and is usually a tin based alloy 85-95% of the time but could also be zinc based.

In December of 1994, The US Safe Drinking Water Act defined Lead-free as having less than 0.25% lead content. Most newly made solid pewter on the market today is considered lead free by these standards. But it is still recommended to not give children Metal Alloy jewelry if there is any chance, they will put it in their mouths!