Helenite Glass Ball

This green marble is a glass called helenite, created by heating ash from the eruption of Mount St. Helens. Helenite was first discovered after the volcano’s massive eruption in 1980. Workers in the cleanup effort noticed that their torches gave the ash a greenish hue as it was heated.
Since it is volcanic glass, helenite can be considered a type of obsidian, except helenite has not been known to occur naturally.
Interestingly, every volcano, and in some cases each eruption, creates ash with a unique chemical “fingerprint”. The composition of helenite includes silica, aluminum, iron and trace amounts of chromium and copper in specific proportions unlikely to be produced by any other volcano.
This unique chemistry makes the color of helenite unique, and it is often used by the jewelry and gem industries as it provides an interesting alternative to emerald and peridot.

Approx. 0.75" diameter

Please note: each marble is unique and contains minor imperfections. Surfaces are not completely smooth.