also
manufactured ring stones, seals, and other ornaments from it. The
source of their obsidian was probably the island of Lipari, for
extenÂsive fields of beautiful obsidian are still known and worked
there. It also occurs in the neighboring islands.
Its
use at the present time is chiefly for making mourning jewelry it being
preferred by some to jet. Obviously, it can be closely imitated in
glass; and though the cost of cut obsidian is small, glass is still
cheaper. The schillerizing, or chatoyant obsidian, is more highly
prized than the plain, and cut en cabochon it makes a very pretty ring
stone. Obsidian is sometimes called Iceland agate, perhaps because
obtained in Iceland, although by some it is thought that the name is a
corrupÂtion of island agate, from the occurrence of the stone in the
islands of the Mediterranean.
