it is found in volcanic areas or areas were volcanism has occurred sometime in Earth’s history. The fine-grain is due to quick cooling magma. Obsidian under the microscope showing a complex fine-grained texture. Another benefit to using obsidian scalpels is the reduction of healing time for surgical incisions. Given these unique characteristics a German company has created surgical tools that allow doctors to use obsidian instruments on patients who might be allergic to steel. It is 3 times sharper than diamond and between 500-1000 times sharper than a razor or a surgeon’s steel blade resulting in easier incisions and fewer microscopic ragged tissue cuts. Surprisingly, the edge of a piece of obsidian is superior to that of a surgeon’s steel scalpel. Because of its sharp edges early man used it to make cutting tools or arrowheads. The relatively inexpensive obsidian scalpel is a good substitute for an. It is ideal for applications where an extremely fine cutting action is required or where trace metals from ordinary scalpel blades cannot be tolerated. Obsidian has a conchoidal (shell-like pattern) fracture, which means that it breaks like glass and does not form any flat crystal facets. Obsidian is a type of volcanic glass that produces a much finer blade than conventional steel. Obsidian is considered more of an igneous rock than a mineral, since glass does not have the crystal structure that defines minerals. Obsidian hand sample showing the glassy texture. The result is a silicon dioxide glass with magnesium and iron to give it the dark color. Obsidian is a volcanic glass created when magma is extruded from a volcano and quickly becomes quenched (cooled) so that crystals have almost no time to grow. 3 During Pars time, physicians were the educated ones in diagnostics and academic medical practice, but the general tasks were left to barber surgeons. Today’s featured rock/mineral piece is on: Obsidian.

Obsidian scalpel medical surgical