Sheen Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass that exhibits a distinct metallic or shimmering reflection caused by aligned inclusions of microscopic gas bubbles or crystals. It is best appreciated when polished, as the sheen is often only visible from specific angles under direct light. Collectors should look for even distribution of the gold or silver sheen throughout the dark, glassy matrix.
Is this sheen obsidian?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch sheen obsidian with a known reference. Sheen Obsidian sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sheen Obsidian leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sheen Obsidian typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, gold, silver, rainbow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: amorphous. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Sheen Obsidian vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside sheen obsidian
Minerals reported to co-occur with sheen obsidian. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 2.35-2.60 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Amorphous
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector, Decorative, Jewelry
- Host rock
- Rhyolitic Lava Flows
- Typical price
- $5-50 for slabs or polished cabochons
Where rockhounds find sheen obsidian
Classic worldwide localities
- Mexico
- USA (Oregon)
- USA (California)
- Armenia
- Iceland
Field-hunting tip
Look in rhyolitic lava flows country — that is the host setting where sheen obsidian typically forms. If you start seeing cristobalite, feldspar, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find sheen obsidian on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
