How Much Is Obsidian Worth? A Guide to the Prices of Different Obsidian Types

Obsidian is a highly prized igneous rock thanks to its distinct natural properties. As a raw material, obsidian is typically priced at around $5-$10 per kilogram when denominated in US dollars. However, for rarer types of obsidian or polished pieces, the price can shoot up drastically.

Determining the exact value of a specific piece of obsidian can be challenging. While black obsidian enjoys global demand, the rock comes in various types, and its quality can vary widely.

This article will explore the different varieties of obsidian, the metrics used to assess its value, and the ways this versatile material can be transformed into high-value items such as jewelry and tools.

What is obsidian?

Obsidian is a natural volcanic glass that forms when molten lava cools rapidly. It’s typically black in color, but it can also appear to have a brown, blue, green, or red tinge, and sometimes it can even be translucent.

Obsidian ore can be harnessed as a raw material and crafted into a variety of items. While it can be used to craft decorative items such as jewelry, obsidian is primarily used to craft blades, arrowheads, and other forms of weaponry because it is extremely sharp when cut in a certain way. In fact, obsidian blades can have edges as thin as 3 nanometers, and they stay sharper much longer than steel. This makes obsidian the ideal material for medical tools such as scalpels as well.

Is obsidian traded as a commodity?

Obsidian is not typically traded as a commodity in the same way as precious metals or agricultural products. Since there is no open market for obsidian, its value is not as widely established as other raw materials such as gold, silver, or oil.

Regardless, physical obsidian can still be bought and sold in a variety of states. Raw obsidian – that is, obsidian that has yet to be crafted into some kind of item – is typically priced by weight in a similar way to precious metals such as gold and silver.

How much is obsidian worth?

This section will cover the different price points for obsidian in its various forms. It’s worth bearing in mind that the price of obsidian largely depends on the purity, size, or color of the ore, and it can also depend on the geographical location of the obsidian market.

How much is 1 gram of obsidian worth?

1 gram of obsidian is usually worth around $0.005, but it can also be priced by the kilogram, pound, ounce, or carat. Here’s a full breakdown of obsidian’s approximate value in different weight measurements:

How much is raw obsidian worth?

The value of raw obsidian depends on a variety of factors, including the size of the ore, the purity of the specimen, and distinct color features. Most obsidian ore, however, is worth around $0.005 per gram.

How much is black obsidian worth?

Black obsidian is the most common kind of obsidian ore, so it’s typically cheaper than rarer obsidian deposits. As described above, the value of black obsidian is around $0.005 per gram.

Other kinds of obsidian ore, such as the rarer green and blue varieties, are more expensive. The price can often be difficult to determine due to the many different kinds of obsidian, as well as the variety in how each kind is used and the geographical location of independent obsidian merchants.

To determine the specific value of a particular piece of obsidian, it may be worthwhile to consult with experts in geology, archaeology, or collectibles, or seek the expertise of a professional appraiser.

How much are rarer types of obsidian worth?

While black obsidian is the most common kind of obsidian ore, it's nowhere near the most expensive. Here is a table showing the prices of rarer forms of obsidian:

FAQs

What is obsidian?

Obsidian ore is an igneous rock that forms when molten lava cools rapidly. It has a smooth, glossy texture and is typically black in color, but it can also appear in brown, blue, red, green, and translucent varieties. The rapid cooling of lava prevents the formation of large crystals within the rock, giving obsidian a glassy appearance. 

Obsidian has been used by humans for thousands of years, primarily for the production of tools and weapons due to its sharp edges when fractured. The archaeological record tracks obsidian use all the way back to the ancient Egyptians. Today, obsidian is still used for crafting knives, arrowheads, and other sharp tools, such as scalpels.

How much is obsidian worth in US dollars?

The value of obsidian depends on a variety of factors, including the quality of the piece, its distinct coloring, and the location of the obsidian market. Black obsidian, which is the most common form of raw material, is valued at approximately $0.005 per gram, or $5 per kilogram.

The bottom line

Despite being integral in the craftsmanship of certain arrows, evaluating the price of obsidian is far from straightforward. The sheer variety in quality, purity, and color of obsidian means that each variation can be priced separately – in short, no two ores are quite the same, and no two merchants are likely to pay the same price.

That said, a common rule of thumb for black obsidian is that it costs around $0.005 per gram to acquire. Other kinds of obsidian, such as the blue and green varieties or even the rarest form known as fire obsidian, can certainly be more expensive.

If you're interested in the price of precious metals, you can check out our articles going over the worth of gold bars and silver bars. If you'd like to expand your portfolio to other materials with real-world utility, consider investing in nickel stocks.