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Obsidian

Obsidian

High-clarity Obsidian crystal, expertly cut and polished to reveal stunning color and shine.

Commercial Trade Terms

Min. Order (MOQ)

50 Carats

HS Code

7103

Origin

Global/India

Price Range

Price on Request

Export Documents

  • Certificate of Origin
  • Gemological Certificate (GIA/IGI)
  • Commercial Invoice
  • Packing List

Available Bag Sizes

1โ€“5 ct cabochon parcels10 ct lotsCalibrated 100-pc bead lots1 kg rough/tumbled lots

Available Bag Types

Gem parcel paperPadded gemstone boxTamper-proof sealed lot

Product Overview

COMPREHENSIVE PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Exquisite Obsidian crystals, ethically sourced and precision-cut to highlight their natural brilliance. Ideal for high-end jewelry manufacturing and investment purposes. As a leading manufacturer and exporter in India, IndianXporter ensures that our Obsidian meets the stringent quality requirements of international markets. Our robust supply chain allows us to fulfill bulk orders consistently, offering highly competitive FOB and CIF pricing to our B2B partners worldwide. Our processing facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, ensuring that every shipment of Obsidian is thoroughly sorted, cleaned, and graded. We adhere to global food safety and industrial standards, backed by third-party inspections from agencies like SGS upon buyer request.

As a leading manufacturer and exporter in India, IndianXporter ensures that our Obsidian meets the stringent quality requirements of international markets. Our robust supply chain allows us to fulfill bulk orders consistently, offering highly competitive FOB and CIF pricing to our B2B partners worldwide.

Our processing facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, ensuring that every shipment of Obsidian is thoroughly sorted, cleaned, and graded. We adhere to global food safety and industrial standards, backed by third-party inspections from agencies like SGS upon buyer request.

What is Obsidian?

Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed when felsic lava cools rapidly with minimal crystal growth. It is amorphous (non-crystalline) with a Mohs hardness around 5โ€“5.5 and a glassy, conchoidal fracture. Common varieties include black obsidian, snowflake obsidian (with cristobalite inclusions), mahogany, rainbow, and sheen (gold/silver) obsidian.

Obsidian is not sourced from India in significant quantity; rough is imported from volcanic regions such as Mexico and the USA. India's role is as a cutting, cabochon, bead, and carving hub โ€” Jaipur and Khambhat lapidaries shape obsidian into polished cabochons, spheres, beads, and decorative carvings for global jewellery and metaphysical markets.

With its dramatic lustre and affordability, obsidian is popular in fashion jewellery and the wellness/crystal trade. India's skilled lapidary labour, large processing capacity, and competitive pricing make it a leading finisher of obsidian goods.

Technical Specifications

Material Volcanic glass (amorphous silica-rich)
Mohs Hardness 5 โ€“ 5.5
Refractive Index 1.45 โ€“ 1.55
Specific Gravity 2.35 โ€“ 2.60
Crystal System Amorphous (non-crystalline glass)
Colour Range Black, snowflake, mahogany, rainbow, gold/silver sheen
Cut Types Cabochon, beads, spheres, tumbled, carved
Clarity Opaque to translucent (glassy)
Treatment Natural, untreated; manufactured glass excluded
Typical Origin Mexico, USA (rough); processed in India

Commercial Grades & Classification

AAA

Processing: Hand-selected, master-cut, high polish

Colour: Strong sheen/rainbow or clean snowflake pattern

Use Case: Designer jewellery and fine carvings

+60โ€“120% over A grade

AA

Processing: Calibrated cabochon/bead finishing

Colour: Good black or even patterning

Use Case: Fashion jewellery, branded retail

+25โ€“50% over A grade

A

Processing: Standard cabochon/bead/tumbled production

Colour: Plain black, minor surface variation

Use Case: Volume costume and metaphysical lots

Base reference grade

Indicative FOB Pricing

Prices are indicative. Request a formal quote for contractual pricing.

Grade FOB Price (USD/MT) Notes
AAA $1โ€“$6/ct Rainbow/sheen and fine snowflake cabochons
AA $0.30โ€“$1.50/ct Calibrated cabochons and beads
A $0.10โ€“$0.50/ct Plain black tumbled/volume lots

Price Influencing Factors

  • โ€ขVariety and sheen/rainbow effect
  • โ€ขPattern quality (snowflake clarity)
  • โ€ขCarat size and calibration
  • โ€ขCut quality and polish
  • โ€ขOrigin of rough
  • โ€ขOrder volume

India vs Mexico: Obsidian Comparison

Mexico and the USA are primary obsidian rough sources from volcanic regions. India adds value as a cutting, bead, and carving hub, importing rough and exporting finished cabochons, spheres, and decorative pieces at competitive prices.

Aspect ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ India ๐ŸŒ Mexico
Role in Chain Cutting, bead, sphere and carving finishing (Jaipur, Khambhat) Primary rough mining
Value Addition High โ€” polished cabochons, spheres, carvings Moderate โ€” rough and basic slabs
Labour & Cost Skilled, low-cost lapidary labour Higher processing costs
Price (FOB) $0.10โ€“$6/ct by grade Rough by weight, lower margin

Applications & End-Use Markets

๐Ÿ“ฟ

Fashion & Costume Jewelry

Calibrated black and sheen cabochons and beads for fashion jewellery.

USAEuropeChina
๐Ÿ”ฎ

Metaphysical & Wellness

Tumbled stones, spheres, and beads for crystal healing and 'protection' retail.

USAUKAustralia
๐Ÿบ

Decorative & Carvings

Spheres, carvings, knives, and ornamental objects.

USAEuropeJapan
๐Ÿ“ˆ

Collectors & Designer

Fine rainbow and sheen obsidian for collectors and designers.

USAGermanyMexico

Global Trade Architecture

Primary Supply Origins

Mexico

Leading rough source

Volcanic regions supply rainbow and sheen obsidian rough.

USA

Major rough source

Snowflake and mahogany obsidian from western states.

India

Leading processing/export hub

Jaipur and Khambhat cut and carve for export.

Key Consumption Nodes

USA

Largest market for fashion, healing, and decorative obsidian.

EU (Germany, Italy)

Jewellery and dรฉcor manufacturing.

UAE โ€” Dubai

Regional re-export hub for Middle East and Africa.

Market Intelligence

Obsidian, a naturally occurring volcanic glass, occupies a niche but expanding position in the global gemstone and crystal market, valued at ~$100-150B annually. While obsidian is more affordable than traditional gemstones, growing demand from the wellness and spiritual crystal industry, fine jewelry manufacturers, and collectors drives steady growth. India emerges as a key processing and re-export hub, with raw obsidian imported from global sources (Mexico, Iceland, Turkey) and precision-cut for jewelry and decorative applications. The market is bifurcated: industrial/polished specimens ($5-15/carat) and high-quality faceted pieces for jewelry ($20-50+/carat).

Market Size

Global obsidian market (raw and processed): ~$120-180M annually; India's processing and export share: ~$15-25M (growing 8-10% YoY)

Growth Rate

~8-10% CAGR โ€” driven by wellness industry growth, metaphysical crystal trends, luxury jewelry demand, and interior design applications

Core Demand Drivers

  • Crystal and wellness market boom โ€” metaphysical beliefs and New Age spirituality drive obsidian demand among collectors and healing practitioners globally
  • Luxury jewelry segment expansion โ€” high-quality faceted and polished obsidian for premium costume and fine jewelry manufacturing
  • Interior design and decorative applications โ€” obsidian spheres, raw chunks, and polished specimens for luxury home dรฉcor
  • Collector and investment market โ€” rare obsidian varieties (mahogany, rainbow obsidian) attract collectors willing to pay premium pricing
  • Industrial and artisanal applications โ€” obsidian beads, cabochons, and cut pieces for artisans and small-batch manufacturers

Supply Dynamics

Obsidian is sourced globally from volcanic regions (Mexico, Iceland, Turkey, USA), with India functioning as a processing and re-export hub. Polished and faceted obsidian production is concentrated in Jaipur, Delhi, and Bangalore, with skilled lapidaries and cutting facilities. Supply is stable with no seasonal constraints; quality variation depends on raw material sourcing and finishing precision. Processing capacity in India is well-developed with competitive labor costs.

โš  India Risk Factor

India does not have significant obsidian deposits; all raw material requires import, exposing exporters to forex volatility and sourcing disruptions. Competing processors in Thailand and Brazil offer similar services at competitive pricing. Quality certification and grading standards are less rigorous than for precious gemstones, creating differentiation challenges.

Future Outlook

Certification and grading standards (GIA, IGI adoption for obsidian) will elevate market credibility and pricing. Rare and unique obsidian varieties (fire obsidian, snowflake) will command significant premiums. Value-added processing (custom cutting, boutique jewelry design) will expand margins beyond commodity polishing. Sustainability narratives and ethical sourcing certifications will differentiate premium offerings.

HS / HSN Codes

Product Type HS 6-Digit ITC-HS 8-Digit Description
Worked obsidian (cabochons) 7103.99 71039910 Precious/semi-precious stones, otherwise worked
Obsidian beads 7103.10 71031011 Semi-precious stones, simply sawn โ€” beads
Articles of obsidian 7116.20 71162000 Articles of precious/semi-precious stones

Certifications & Compliance Standards

Standard Code / Reference Note
CIBJO Gemstone Blue Book CIBJO Disclosure that obsidian is natural volcanic glass, not man-made glass
GIA Coloured Stone Grading GIA Identification report available on request
Kimberley Process KP N/A โ€” applies to rough diamonds only

Storage, Handling & Logistics

Storage Conditions

Store in padded compartments to avoid scratches and chipping; obsidian (Mohs 5โ€“5.5) is relatively soft and has sharp conchoidal fracture edges. Keep away from impact and abrasive surfaces.

Container Type

Padded gem boxes or sealed parcel papers in insured air cargo or LCL/FCL sea freight

Storage Advantage

Lightweight glass โ€” easy to ship and store when padded against impact; no cold-chain needs.

Why Source Obsidian from India?

  • Jaipur and Khambhat โ€” leading obsidian cutting and carving hubs
  • Skilled, cost-competitive lapidary labour
  • Capability for cabochons, spheres, beads, and custom carvings
  • Large processing capacity and inventory
  • Calibrated stones for jewellery manufacturers
  • Competitive FOB pricing with GIA/IGI certification on request
Request Bulk Quote

Industrial Usage

Bulk supply for various manufacturing, processing, and distribution sectors. High-purity technical grades available for industrial procurement and technical application.

Standard

Technical Grade

Supply

Bulk Only

Industrial Specs

Packaging & Logistics

Standard Packaging

Export Standard Cartons / Palletized

Private Label / OEM

Custom Packaging & OEM Support Available

Port of Loading

Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) or Mundra Port

Incoterms

FOB, CIF, CFR accepted

B2B Solutions

Private Label Obsidian

Establish your own brand in the international market. We provide end-to-end custom white-label packaging and branding solutions for retail distribution. Get retail-ready Obsidian under your brand name with our expert OEM services.

  • Custom pouch, jar & bulk bag design
  • Multi-lingual labeling & regulatory compliance
  • FSSAI, ISO & FDA certified facilities
  • Flexible packaging sizes (100g to 50kg)
OEM Solutions

Retail Ready

From Design to Delivery

Export Markets

USA UAE Europe South East Asia

We provide market-specific compliance documentation for each destination. Contact us for country-specific certifications.

Importing Obsidian: B2B FAQs

What is the lead time for a bulk order of Obsidian?
Our standard lead time for Obsidian is 7-14 business days from order confirmation to dispatch from an Indian port. For private label orders, allow an additional 5 days for packaging customization.
Can I request a sample of Obsidian before placing a full container order?
Yes, we provide 100g to 500g samples of Obsidian for quality validation. Sample costs are usually free, with the buyer covering international courier charges (DHL/FedEx).
Which Incoterms do you offer for Obsidian?
We primarily quote on FOB (Nhava Sheva/Mundra) or CIF (Destination Port) basis. We can also provide CFR and door-to-door DDP pricing for specific regions upon request.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for Obsidian?
Our standard MOQ for Obsidian is 50 Carats. However, we can accommodate smaller trial orders or mixed container shipments (LCL) for new B2B partners seeking to evaluate our quality.
Do you provide samples and laboratory reports for Obsidian?
Yes, we provide pre-shipment samples and comprehensive laboratory testing reports (including pesticide residues, heavy metals, and purity analysis) for Obsidian to ensure full compliance with your destination country's regulations.
What are the export logistics and lead times for bulk orders?
We primarily ship through Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) and Mundra ports using FOB, CIF, or CFR terms. Standard lead time for Obsidian is 15-25 business days from the receipt of the Advance Payment or confirmed L/C.

Related

Request Export Pricing

Direct from manufacturer

Get current FOB/CIF rates for Obsidian delivered to your destination port.

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