Can anyone identify this stone?

[LondonBound]

I went to a crystal store and bought a couple pendants but I was also drawn to a rock. It's black and more oval than round, and a matte luster. Does anyone know anything about this type of stone? I wish I could attach a picture.

i wish you could too. there's several that fit that catagory.

from your short description i'd say it was obsidian. also called apache tears. it's actually fossilized lava.

[Visitor]

Could be onyx.

you can tell if it's obsidian if you hold it up to the light and are able to see a slight glow through it. unless it's a large piece.

[LondonBound]

It's very matte. I've taken a picture and attached to my Facebook, if links are allowed here it is: https://www.facebook.com/2344525abc

It is sitting on top of a small globe and measures about 1.5 inches.

[Selbor13]

EDIT: Looking at your picture, that's a Black Lingam.


Black onyx, obsidian or tourmaline are probably the most common black stones. Any of them can have matte finish since it sounds like it's a polished stone. Jet and shungite are also black.

the easiest to ID is Obsidian and Jet. Obsidian is volcanic glass (lava that cooled very quickly), depending on the size it can be somewhat transparent. If you shine a bright light (like you phone's LED) you can usually see a light go through the top layer, looks like a glow. Jet is very light and tends to have a weird gray-ish shine.

The others are harder to ID when polished if you are not familiar with the stones.

[Selbor13]

BTW Black Lingams are rare compared to the regular brown/grey ones. Nice find!

Originally Posted by Selbor13

EDIT: Looking at your picture, that's a Black Lingam.


Black onyx, obsidian or tourmaline are probably the most common black stones. Any of them can have matte finish since it sounds like it's a polished stone. Jet and shungite are also black.

the easiest to ID is Obsidian and Jet. Obsidian is volcanic glass (lava that cooled very quickly), depending on the size it can be somewhat transparent. If you shine a bright light (like you phone's LED) you can usually see a light go through the top layer, looks like a glow. Jet is very light and tends to have a weird gray-ish shine.

The others are harder to ID when polished if you are not familiar with the stones.

lingam...yes, i think you're right.

[LondonBound]

Oh wow thanks guys! That's awesome! Found it in a really cool crystal store in Las Vegas on East Sahara. The owner said he goes around the world and brings the stones and crystals back to his store. It's an amazing place.

[LoneFlower]

To add a picture into a post, you don't have to use the picture attachment feature here on SF.
Just find the picture you want to use,
upload it to postimg.org
then use the direct link (that ends in .jpg)
click the little yellow mountains picture (Insert Image) in the quick reply / reply toolbar
paste in the link
click OK button and ta-da!

You just got yourself a picture in your post.

...though... if you don't have a camera or camera feature on a phone or tablet, then the above is a moot point.