Great patterns in this lovely variety of snowflake obsidian! This material is called Fireworks or Fire cracker or flower obsidian because the colors and patterns are more involved and colorful than that of regular snowflake. I hand cut this free-form shaped, matte finish focal bead.  2.5mm side drill hole.  The rough material is from Mexico.  CHAIN NOT INCLUDED. 

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Obsidian, a naturally occurring glass, forms as an extrusive igneous rock from felsic lava cooling rapidly. It lacks a crystal structure, allowing for razor-thin edges. Its dark appearance, ranging from green to black, results from impurities like iron and magnesium. Snowflake obsidian, with its radially clustered cristobalite crystals, features a blotchy pattern. Valued in Stone Age cultures for sharp tools, it was polished for mirrors. Mesoamericans used it extensively for tools, and its trade traced cultural aspects. Metaphysically, obsidian is protective, grounding, and healing, linked to the root chakra. Snowflake obsidian gently brings buried issues to the surface, aiding balance and pattern recognition, providing serenity, purity, and shielding against negativity.