Rainbow Obsidian Jewellery and Its Blue Sheen

What is rainbow obsidian?

Rainbow obsidian is a variety of black obsidian, the volcanic glass born when silica-rich lava cools. Its singularity: turn it towards the light and it reveals blue, silvery or multicoloured glimmers that trace a halo, an "eye" across the surface of the stone.

Every stone is unique: the sheen forms in a different place, with an intensity of its own. That is what makes this variety so sought after, no two pieces of rainbow obsidian ever catch the light in quite the same way.

Where does its blue sheen come from?

The rainbow effect isn't a dye, it is a natural optical phenomenon. As the lava cooled, minute inclusions (often magnetite nanoparticles) set into fine layers within the glass.

When light strikes those layers it is diffracted, throwing back blue or iridescent glimmers, rather like the surface of a soap bubble. Depending on the angle, the eye appears, shifts, changes shade. To understand how the stone itself comes about, see my article on how obsidian is formed.

Why is it called rainbow obsidian?

The name comes simply from its appearance: the sheen fans out into blue, green, violet and gold, like a rainbow caught inside black glass. You will also see it sold as sheen obsidian or velvet obsidian, and in French as obsidienne œil céleste, "celestial eye obsidian", after the eye-shaped halo. For the full story of the stone itself, have a look at my guide to rainbow obsidian.

Beyond the look, that name has fed its reputation as a stone of vision and introspection in crystal healing traditions: an eye turned inward, in a sense.

The properties of rainbow obsidian

In the crystal healing tradition, rainbow obsidian is described as one of the most spiritually powerful obsidians. It is credited with the protective, grounding qualities of the obsidian family, but with an added dimension turned towards clarity and inner vision.

It is generally associated with:

• protection against the "evil eye": symbolically, its eye is seen as a shield that sends negative energy back;
• introspection and mental clarity: it is called a "mirror stone", said to help you see what is usually hidden;
• emotional release: it is said to accompany awareness and the moving past of old blocks;
• grounding: like every obsidian, it helps keep your feet on the ground;
• everyday energetic protection, in heavy environments.

Its reputation is that of a frank and deep stone; many people advise getting to know it gently. For the wider context, read my article on obsidian as a stone of protection and grounding.

Chakras and energy

Rainbow obsidian is traditionally linked to:

• the root chakra (Muladhara), through its obsidian nature, grounding and safety;
• the third eye chakra (Ajna), through its blue "eye", intuition, lucidity, inner vision;
• sometimes the throat chakra, associated with true expression and honesty.

That bridge between the earth (root) and intuition (third eye) explains its reputation as a stone of inner journeying: staying grounded while looking further ahead.

Associated star signs

In crystal healing, rainbow obsidian is traditionally associated with several signs:

• Scorpio: for its intensity and its relationship with introspection;
• Sagittarius: for its search for meaning and truth;
• Capricorn and Aquarius: for their lucidity and their need for clarity.

As always, these correspondences are indicative: the stone that draws you in of its own accord is often the right choice.

How to wear rainbow obsidian

Rainbow obsidian is worn day to day like any obsidian. Since its sheen is the whole point, you'll want to keep it visible, where the light can catch its eye:

• as a bracelet: the movement of your wrist brings the sheen out through the day;
• as a pendant or necklace: close to the heart or the throat, in keeping with its chakras;
• as a ring: to keep it in view, like a small talisman of clarity.

By tradition, the stone is worn on the left wrist to receive its energy, and on the right to protect outwards. What matters most is your intention and how it feels to you.

My rainbow obsidian jewellery

Here, every piece of rainbow obsidian jewellery is made by hand, with stones chosen one by one for the beauty of their sheen. The pieces below are available in the shop:

Mineral profile

Nature

Natural volcanic glass (mineraloid, amorphous)

Colour

Deep black with blue / iridescent eye-shaped sheen

Composition

Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) with magnesium and iron oxide

Hardness (Mohs)

Around 5 to 5.5

Structure

Amorphous (no crystal lattice)

Geological origin

Volcanic rock, formed by the cooling of silica-rich lava

Main deposits

Mexico (chiefly), United States, Iceland, Armenia, Japan

Chakras

Root, third eye (sometimes throat)

Star signs

Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius

Care and cleansing

Like every obsidian, rainbow obsidian is a volcanic glass to be handled gently. For everyday care a soft cloth is enough; avoid salt, knocks and harsh products. It is all set out in my guide to cleaning obsidian.

For energetic cleansing in the crystal healing sense, smoke and moonlight suit it particularly well; the detail is in cleansing and charging your obsidian.

Frequently asked questions