

Generally speaking, obsidian can be sourced in any weight. If you can visibly see the inclusion while holding the gemstone then the highest designation would be SI1 and if the inclusion detracts from the overall beauty of the stone then the clarity designation would be I1 – I3.Ĭlarity designations – FL, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, I2, I3Ĭarat – Obsidian can be found in sizes ranging from below 1 gram to above 10 pounds. This means imperfections will bring down the value by a considerable amount. This material can be found in large quantities and sizes. Obsidian can exhibit internal feathers that breach the external surface. Clean and clear patterns with little to no imperfections will bring the highest price per gram.Ĭlarity – Buyers and collectors prefer stones with no internal inclusions visible to the eye. Patterns are going to be more important when considering the value of obsidian and its varieties. If the gemstone has a unique “neon-like glow” then it will demand the highest price per carat. The more vibrant and saturated the color the more expensive the gemstone. If you can’t see brown undertones then the color should be very vibrant. When dealing with warm colors, think of red and orange, you’ll want to determine if there are brown undertones. When valuing amethyst you’ll need to know that Siberian amethyst is the most sought after with amethyst sourced from Uruguay a close second.Ĭolor – The more intense the color the more valuable the stone is. Clarity and carat weight are tied for the second most important factor. If you need help identifying obsidian then go here first.Ĭolor is going to be the most important factor when determining the value of gemstones. You’ll want to look at each one of these individually and then circle back when finished to evaluate the stone as a whole. When determining the value of the gemstone you will be using GIA guidelines which means color, clarity, carat weight, and cut. Extremely large stones don’t necessarily bring a higher price per gram because you can’t do anything with a 100-gram+ carved or cabbed stone. There are quite a few varieties of obsidian and all of them are popular among collectors. Mahogany and rainbow seem to be the most popular among rock and mineral enthusiasts.

Obsidian is very affordable in sizes ranging from 1 -10 grams and the cost per gram is between $1.00 to $5.00 per gram.
