Obsidian: Glass From the Volcano--Part 2

Well, I’ve kept all of you waiting long enough to read about obsidian’s uses. Here is the long-awaited post which describes how this odd volcanic glass was used in the past and how it is used today.
Obsidian is arguably one of the most useful stones in all of Creation. Like quartz and flint, obsidian breaks with a conchoidal fracture (which means that its chips look like conch shells) Anything that breaks with a conchoidal fracture can be flaked into very sharp blades (this is called 'knapping') Obsidian is no exception. In fact, obsidian has the sharpest cutting edge of any natural material! In the past people have used obsidian to make such bladed tools as arrowheads, knife blades, spear heads, saws, and axe heads. Obsidian is actually still used to make these implements by hobbyists (my self included) and for use in ocular and neurosurgeries. The reason that obsidian is used in surgery is because of the fact that it can be given a finer edge than stainless steel and therefore it leaves finer cuts that heal faster and leave less scar tissue behind.
Obsidian has been used to make jewelry for thousands of years and is still polished and cut for this purpose today. Another use for obsidian that is no longer around today, but nevertheless still fascinating is as a material for making mirrors. This was done by the Aztecs and the people of Ancient Greece. I’m not exactly sure how they made mirrors out of obsidian, but I do find the idea an intriguing one!
I hope you enjoyed today’s belated post. The next will discuss the locations in which obsidian is found.