Mentogochol Obsidian: What It Is, Symbolism, Care

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“Mentogochol” is a trade name found among stone dealers in Mexico, presented as an obsidian. No mineralogical source describes it. Here is how to find your way through it.

Key points

Name	“mentogochol”, a trade name with no mineralogical definition found
Presumed nature	obsidian (volcanic glass) from Mexico, according to dealers
Mohs hardness	5 to 5.5 if it is indeed obsidian
Fracture	conchoidal, sharp edges
Origin cited	Mexico, without a specific deposit
Point to watch	name not recognised: ask the seller what they know
Traditional chakra	root according to the authors, for obsidian in general

A name you mainly find in trade

Let us be frank from the start: the word “mentogochol” does not, to our knowledge, designate any species, variety or deposit described in the mineralogical literature. We found it only in catalogues of dealers in Mexican stones, where it appears alongside other Mexican obsidians (“rainbow”, “royal velvet”, and so on). It is therefore very probably a trade name or a local usage name, applied to a batch of obsidian, with no scientific definition.

This does not mean the stone is fake: it may well be a very fine obsidian. It means the exact appearance (black, brown, with reflections or bands?) varies from seller to seller, and nothing guarantees that two pieces sold under this name look alike. We prefer to say so rather than invent a description.

What we know about Mexican obsidian

Obsidian is a volcanic glass rich in silica, formed when rhyolite-type lava cools very quickly. Its hardness is 5 to 5.5. In Mexico it comes mainly from the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, a zone of roughly 1,000 kilometres that crosses the country from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic coast. Mesoamerican peoples used it for millennia to make blades and points, mirrors, masks and jewellery. The Mexica made ritual knives from it, and the city of Teotihuacan built a pillar of its economy around it.

Archaeologists can now trace the origin of an artefact: each obsidian outcrop has its own chemical “signature”. This is how pre-Columbian trade routes were reconstructed.

Traditional symbolism

The modern tradition of stones associates obsidian with candour, perspective, symbolic protection and grounding. Black glass reflects like a mirror, and authors make it the stone that shows things as they are. Since we cannot describe the “mentogochol obsidian” precisely, we attribute no meaning of its own to it: the meaning that applies is that of obsidian in general.

These associations are symbolic, have no proven effect, and do not replace medical or psychological advice.

Traditional correspondences

Element	Association cited for obsidian
Chakra	root (root chakra)
Element	earth or fire
Signs	Scorpio, Capricorn or Sagittarius, depending on the authors

How to use it

As a decorative object: sphere, egg, pebble, point or rough piece.
For observation: look at the stone under different lights. Many obsidians reveal reflections (golden, silvery, iridescent) depending on the angle.
As a gift: state honestly that it is an obsidian from Mexico, without adding any promise.

Care and safety

Like all obsidian, the piece is fragile and can break, leaving very sharp edges. Avoid knocks, falls and sudden temperature changes. Wash it in lukewarm water and dry it with a soft cloth. Raw pieces are sharp: handle them gently and keep them out of children’s reach. For symbolic cleansing, gentle smoke or selenite are suitable; see cleansing and recharging your stones.

How to avoid unpleasant surprises

When faced with a name nobody defines, a few simple habits help:

Ask the seller what the stone is (obsidian? which deposit? natural or worked?) and write down the answer.
Be wary of names that borrow from a people or a place without explaining it: an exotic name is not proof of origin.
Moulded black glass is sometimes sold as obsidian; genuine obsidian often shows fine flow bands or small elongated bubbles, whereas manufactured glass is too regular or contains round bubbles.
A tinted stone or one with a surface coating (overly perfect “rainbow” reflections) should be labelled as such.
Compare with well-described obsidians: black obsidian, mahogany obsidian or golden obsidian.

How to present a stone with an uncertain name honestly

If you give away or resell a piece sold under this name, simply write: “Obsidian from Mexico, sold under the name mentogochol”. This sentence is honest, promises nothing, and leaves the person free to find out more. Also note the date and place of purchase in your stone notebook, together with the seller’s name: if you later discover what the term covers, you will be able to trace the piece. This is the best way to stay serious when faced with a name that nobody defines.

How to choose

Choose according to what you see: colour, polish, absence of cracks. A modest price is normal for obsidian; a high price for an unknown name calls for an explanation. If your goal is to receive a well-identified stone, prefer a named and documented variety. See also choosing and caring for your stones.