Obsidian Bracelet Benefits & How to Wear It

Why wear an obsidian bracelet?

Of all jewellery, a bracelet is the easiest thing to wear day to day: discreet, in direct and constant contact with the skin, you forget it is on your wrist and it goes everywhere with you. That is what makes it the favourite way to wear obsidian.

In crystal healing traditions, black obsidian is known as a stone of protection and grounding. Worn as a bracelet, it is credited with acting like a gentle energetic shield: helping you feel protected from heavy influences, stay grounded and keep your feet on the ground when things get hectic.

It is generally associated with:

• a sense of protection from energies you experience as negative;
• grounding and steadiness when you feel scattered;
• a return to calm and clear-headedness, thanks to its "mirror stone" quality.

Which wrist should you wear an obsidian bracelet on?

It is the question I am asked most, and there is a widely shared convention in crystal healing, built on the idea that each side of the body plays a role:

That said, there is no hard rule. The convention is symbolic more than anything; some people adjust it depending on whether you are right- or left-handed (the "active" hand then being reversed). What matters most is your comfort and how it feels: wear the bracelet where it suits you, and where you will actually remember to keep it on.

How to wear your bracelet day to day

To enjoy having it with you, the idea is to wear it regularly, keeping that continuous contact with the skin. A few pointers:

• on its own or stacked: obsidian pairs well with other stones, but try not to pile too many on, people often suggest sticking to two or three so the intentions do not get "muddled";
• with intention: in crystal healing, what you put into the gesture matters as much as the stone itself;
• take it off before showering, swimming, exercise or sleep, mainly to protect the elastic (more on that below).

If you like combining stones, obsidian makes lovely pairings: with tiger eye for confidence, haematite for grounding, rose quartz to soften things. That is exactly the spirit of my triple protection bracelet, which brings together haematite, tiger eye and obsidian.

Obsidian bracelet: for men or for women?

Good news: black obsidian is a thoroughly unisex stone. Its deep, understated black looks as good on a woman's wrist as on a man's. The 8 mm beads, the most common size, suit most wrists.

For a wider wrist or a bolder look, you can go for larger beads or earthier companion stones such as haematite. Obsidian remains one of the few truly unisex protective stones, which is what makes it such a good gift.

Which obsidian should you choose for your bracelet?

Beyond classic black obsidian, several varieties let you choose according to what you are after:

• black obsidian: the purest, for everyday protection and grounding;
• gold sheen obsidian: its golden veil lends it a softer, sunnier energy, on the confidence side;
• celestial eye obsidian: its blue reflections make it a stone of introspection and clarity;
• obsidian paired with other stones (tiger eye, haematite…): to combine several intentions in one bracelet.

To get to grips with the stone itself, origins, varieties, properties, you can also read my complete guide to obsidian.

My obsidian bracelets

Every bracelet is handmade, with natural stones chosen one by one. Here is what is available:

Looking after your obsidian bracelet

Obsidian is a volcanic glass of moderate hardness: a soft cloth is enough to bring back its shine, and you will want to avoid salt, knocks and harsh products. But on a bracelet, the most fragile part is not the stone: it is the elastic thread.

Water, soap, hand cream and sweat wear it out early. The habit to get into: take your bracelet off before showering, swimming, exercise and bed, and keep it dry. If it loosens over time, it simply needs restringing, the stone lasts far longer than its thread. All my tips are in my guide to cleaning your obsidian.

Cleansing and recharging your bracelet

In crystal healing practice, stones are usually cleansed and then recharged regularly, especially just after you buy them. For obsidian, smoke (sage, palo santo) and moonlight are gentle methods that suit it well; salt is best avoided. The details are in my article on cleansing and recharging your obsidian.

Frequently asked questions