Obsidian

["Michael Morgan" <waterrules@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Arthur,

I recently picked up a piece of obsidian, too, at a rock shop up near
Glacier National Park.  (I live in Missoula, Montana.)  They had a number of
small (8") pieces in the shop that had been at least polished and the
material seemed fascinating--at the time.

When I started doing research, I got nowhere fast, though.  'Doesn't seem as
though there's much information on working it.

I'll attach an e-mail I got from a Tony Stanfield regarding working
obsidian.  I found his web site, if memory serves me correctly, and then
asked him about the best approach to obsidian.  'Sounds as though you (we)
might need some special tools -- which I can't afford right now and for which
I don't have the time to pursue.

I would be interested, though, if you get more information than I got!
Obsidian is absolutely beautiful, I think.  The stuff I saw up at this rock
shop in Glacier was banded!!!  Very dark green and black!!!!!!!!!  It was
LOVELY.

Best of luck -- and keep me informed if you come across in-depth information.

Sincerely,

Michael Morgan
Missoula, Montana (waterrules@xxxxxxxxxxx)

"I think the only way to sculpt obsidian would be with a lapidary
grinder.  The kind with water running over the grinding wheel.
Knapping obsidian though, is another story, a long one. It involves
percussion flaking and pressure flaking and in between, grinding the
edges so they flake instead of crumble. The end result though is a knife
or arrowhead and not a  sculpture.
As for polishing obsidian, I think you would have to look at another
lapidary process."

Here's a Web site, too.  'Not too great, but you be the judge.
http://www.jewelrymall.com/stones/obsidian.html

Here's Tony Stanfield's web site . . . .  http://www.obsidianarts.com/

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