Obsidian is a type of volcanic glass that forms when lava rich in silica (Quartz) comes into contact with water and is cooled quickly, resulting in glassy sheets with dark colors ranging from green to brown and black. Individual nuggets of Obsidian that have been naturally rounded and polished smooth by wind and water are known as 'Apache Tears'. Notable deposits of Obsidian are found in Italy, Mexico, Scotland and the United States, particularly Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Texas and Utah. Apache Tears are also sometimes known as 'Obsidian Drops' or 'Obsidian Pearls'.
Apache Tear Obsidian specimens can contain considerable internal pressures that may cause the glass to explode when it is sawn or cut. Always wear eye protection when working with Obsidian.
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Cleavage: None
Luster: Vitreous
Hardness: 5 - 5.5
Crystal System: Amorphous
Fracture: Large conchoidal
Specific Gravity: 2.3 - 2.6
Refractive Index: 1.4 - 1.6
Composition: Silicon dioxide (SiO2) with impurities.
Color: Dark-gray to brownish-gray.
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There are several versions of the legend about how Apache Tear Obsidian got its name, but all agree that the dark volcanic glass formed when the tears of dispossessed and persecuted Apache people hit the dry earth. One legend says that the tears were shed by Apache women mourning the death of their husbands, sons and fathers. Another says that the tears were shed by the survivors of the Apache tribes when they were driven from their homelands. Perhaps because of this legend Apache Tear is associated with the cleansing power of grief and with healing the emotional problems that manifest when grief is not properly expressed.
Working with Apache Tear Obsidian can sometimes be a painful experience. There is no doubt that it is healing to release any grief or bitterness that is suppressed and trapped in your system, but at the same time the act of releasing these painful memories involves experiencing them again. Apache Tear is linked to the powers of elemental Earth and Fire and can provide the strength and courage needed to raise and release trapped emotions without being overwhelmed by them. Apache Tear can help you find comfort and hope in times of despair and the strength to endure grief, knowing that time heals all pain and no matter how dark the night, the sun will rise again. Working with the stone helps you develop patience and inner peace as well as a desire to work for the highest good of all concerned in any situation you are involved in.
All forms of Obsidian are used magically for protection and Apache Tears tend to be very personal magical stones. Apache Tears are linked to the Root Chakra and the volcanic energies of Fire and Earth, and are good stones for those born under Aries or Sagittarius. Meditation with Apache Tears, especially if done out of doors, is a powerful way to ground excess energy, work through issues of guilt, sorrow or regret and find forgiveness for yourself and for others. Crystal healers use Apache Tears to help relieve muscle spasms and tremors, to remove toxins from the body and for general energy cleansing. A particularly effective way to cleanse and detoxify is to use an Apache Tear gem elixir when fasting or following a cleansing diet. | |  |
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Women of the
Apache Nation:
Voices Of Truth
 
The
American Indians
 
In The Hands
Of The Great Spirit
The 20,000-Year History
Of American Indians
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