This is a lava bead with a thin man-made metal coating, which gives the silver, gold, copper or rainbow shine. The bead underneath is natural porous lava rock; the metallic color is not.
See it as
Lava rock (basalt aggregate) with metallic electro-coating · Lava (basalt)
Electroplated Lava
Lava Electrochapada
- Palette
- Multicolor Gray
- Mined in
- Iceland, Italy, New Zealand, United States
- Hardness
- Mohs 3.0–3.5 ?
- See-through
- opaque
- Known since
- no formal date (bead-trade name)
- Named for
- Italian lava, a torrent from sudden rain; electroplated for its metal coating
- Also sold as
- Plated lava, Metallic lava, Metal-coated lava, electro-coated lava rock
- Intention
- Strength
- Looking for
- Grounding
- Water
- Keep it dry; wipe with a soft cloth
- Dye or finish
- These are natural lava rock beads with a thin metallic coating applied; many plain lava beads are also waxed to feel smooth.
In our pieces · 1See the piece ↓
1,100-1,200 °C
Dark mafic lavas like the basalt behind these beads erupt at 1,100 to 1,200 degrees Celsius.
KETCHUP
Molten basalt flows with a thickness similar to ketchup, far thicker than water.
OVER 90%
Basalt makes up over 90 percent of all volcanic rock on Earth.
What it is
Dark porous lava beads with a metallic gold, silver, bronze or copper-colored coating over a pitted surface. The base is natural volcanic rock; the metallic finish is applied.
What gives it its color
The metallic colors come from a thin metal coating put on by electroplating, while the dark grey stone underneath is lava rock (basalt), which is dark because of its dark pyroxene minerals.
What's said about it
Plated lava has no lore of its own. Any associations come from plain lava, which crystal lore holds to be a grounding stone, traditionally linked with the root chakra.
It is worn on the wrist for the look. Put it on last and take it off first, since sweat, perfume and oils wear the coating.
How people wear or keep it: On the wrist, or in a pocket.
In crystal practice
Day to day, the same tradition suggests keeping it close: on the wrist, in a pocket. People reach for it when they want grounding, and many set an intention when they put it on. Most practitioners cleanse a new stone first (running water only if the stone can take it, otherwise smoke or moonlight) and set it aside now and then to rest.
These are beliefs people have held and still hold about the stone, reported as such. Nothing here is a promise or a medical claim. We sell stones as jewelry, not for these effects.
Associations
Also calledPlated lava, Metallic lava, Metal-coated lava
Care
- The coating is thin and can wear with friction; avoid rubbing against rough surfaces.
- Put on last and take off first; perfume, oils, sweat and hairspray wear coatings.
- Remove before showering, swimming or exercise, and keep away from essential oils, since lava is porous.
- Wipe gently with a damp cloth and dry; no ultrasonic cleaners or harsh cleaners.
- Store in an airtight bag with an anti-tarnish strip.
How to tell what you have
- Plain lava is a matte, dark, pitted rock; a plated bead has an even metallic shine with the pits still visible.
- Look into the pits and the drill hole: dark rock showing through means a thin coat, and wear shows as dulling at edges.
- It is light for its size; a smooth, heavy bead sold as lava may be something else.
What sets the price
The base is natural lava rock, so price follows bead size and how evenly and durably the metal finish covers the natural pits. Lava with a metallic finish is a coated bead, not a plain stone one.
Rules and sourcing
These are natural lava rock beads with a thin metallic coating applied. The FTC jewelry guides call for a seller to disclose a coating, which can wear off.
Related stones
Lava · in our piecesElectroplated hematite
Questions people ask at our table
Is electroplated lava a natural stone?
The core is natural lava rock, but a metal coating has been applied to it by electroplating, so the color is man-made. It is an enhanced material rather than the stone's natural look.
Will the color wear off?
Plating is a delicate surface layer. Fire Mountain Gems notes that plated jewelry wears faster with friction, moisture, oils, perfume and sweat.
Can I use essential oil on it?
It is better not to; oils are listed among the things that break down plating, and the coating sits over a porous bead.
How is it different from plain lava?
Plain lava is matte black or gray with a pitted surface, while plated lava has a bright metallic sheen.
Our electroplated lava pieces
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