APACHE TEARS

pronunciation – Apache Tears – “uh-patch-ee ‘teers”

A wonderful crystal for transmuting negative energy, Apache Tears emanate a soothing vibration that helps to both accept and release grief. This Obsidian-like volcanic glass is more than just a rock or stone; in fact, its namesake alludes to a deeply tragic event involving the indigenous Apache people. Read on to learn more about Apache Tears!

SPIRITUAL HEALING PROPERTIES OF APACHE TEARS

Apache Tears offer a gentle and loving vibration to help release feelings of sorrow and accept loss. The clarity these stones bring helps us to understand that grief is the price of love and, in turn, grief is itself a form of love. As part of the healing process, they encourage us to create space in our lives for new opportunities and interactions.

Apache Tears also ground and protect by clearing and transmuting negative energies that may be attached to the user. This clearing quality serves to shine a light on heavy situations and reveal the beauty in the bittersweet. These stones further guard the wearer by granting clarity and caution such that danger and negativity are easily avoided.

PHYSICAL HEALING PROPERTIES OF APACHE TEARS

Apache Tears bolster the immune system, mitigate pain in the bones and muscles, increase strength and stamina, and purify the blood. This stone even helps to encourage hair and nail growth.

Just as they ease the emotional side of grief and loss, Apache Tears can also ease physical pain stemming from the same source. For those having a difficult time releasing sadness, these stones can help create a “safe space” within to release such emotions without sinking into despondence. In particular, these healing crystals promote release through tears, making them perfect for those who struggle with outward displays of grief.

Apache Tears comfort all sorts of sadness but are especially healing for loss associated with suicide. They lend their aid to survivors wishing to reconnect with departed loved ones who chose to die. These stones facilitate the healing process by gently encouraging the user to seek the necessary spiritual understanding to cope with their loved one’s decision.

PHOTO GALLERY

APACHE TEARS CRYSTAL CORRESPONDENCES

HEALING PROPERTIES	Balance, Absorption of Negativity, Protection, Psychic Protection, Healing
CHAKRAS	Root, Heart
ZODIAC SIGNS	Scorpio, Sagittarius, Aries
PLANETARY RULERS	Pluto, Saturn
NUMBERS	3, 4, 7
TAROT	The Empress, The Emperor, The Chariot
ELEMENTS	Earth, Fire
DEITIES	Pele, Tezcatlipoca, Itzpapalotl, Sekhmet, Isis, Horus
PAIRINGS	Magnetite, Zincite, Alexandrite, Red Jasper

LORE & HISTORY

These stones derive their name from the indigenous Apache people who originate from what is now the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona. History tells of a party of seventy-five Apache warriors tasked with defending their homes and land against invading white colonizers.

As the confrontation escalated the Apache warriors found themselves the target of a large cavalry unit tasked with hunting down and eliminating them. The warriors rode to the top of a pink-hued mountain, from which there would be no escape, to make their final stand. Their backs against a sheer drop, hundreds of feet from the desert floor, the warriors stoically faced their aggressors. In a single round of gunfire, fifty of the brave Apache warriors fell.

The remaining warriors, knowing there was no way out, faced death on their own terms by riding their horses straight over the edge of the mountain. The surviving Apache, mothers, wives, and children, would later arrive to mourn the lost warriors. As they wept, each bitter tear that fell upon the dry desert earth turned to black stone; these would come to be known as the tears of the Apache. It’s said that those who discover one of these stones beneath Apache Leap Mountain will no longer have a need for tears because of the grief already poured out by the Apache people that day.

HOW TO USE APACHE TEARS

On the Body: Carry Apache Tears in your pocket or on your person as jewelry.

Inside: Leave next to the bed or in a space where you go to find peace. Can also be used during meditation or whenever you need comfort after a loss.

Outside: Keep Apache Tears in entryways and exits of a home or business, or inside a vehicle, for protection.

CLEANING AND CLEANSING APACHE TEARS

Physical Cleaning: Clean Apache Tears with canned air to remove dust and debris. Apache Tears can also be cleaned with a mild soap or detergent and rinsed, or it can be wiped down with a damp cloth.

Energetic Cleansing: There are numerous ways to energetically cleanse Apache Tears.

• Set on or next to Selenite or Satin Spar, or set in lavender.
• Use smoke from herb bundles or incense.
• Cleanse using the water method by running it under cool water with your fingers pointed toward the drain of the sink. Do this for about 30 seconds. Dry gently with a towel, and set out to dry completely.
• Charge under the full moonlight.

APACHE TEARS TOXICITY AND POTENTIAL ALLERGENS

Apache Tears contain no known allergens or toxins; however, the possibility of harmful mineral inclusions or radiation remains, depending on the locale.

For more information and citations regarding toxic, poisonous, and otherwise dangerous crystals, visit our Toxic Crystals page!

GEM ELIXIRS

Apache Tears are generally thought to be safe for use in gem elixirs made with the direct method. It is a hard mineral and does not contain any toxins directly. However, as with all stones, the possibility remains of harmful mineral inclusions. To be completely safe, using the indirect method is best.

OTHER NAMES FOR APACHE TEARS

Common Names: Obsidian
Trade Names: Apache Tears, Marekanites
Trademarked Names: N/A

GEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Apache Tears originate from siliceous lava flows, lava domes, or ash-flow tuffs, often in close association with or embedded in, gray perlite. The spherules occur as cores within perlite masses that typically exhibit concentrically curved, onion-skin fractures.

Their formation is apparently related to differential cooling and differing alkali and water contents. Excessive water present during the cooling and quenching of rhyolitic lava causes Obsidian to hydrate (i.e., water entering the glass converts it to perlite). Where perlite is incompletely hydrated, fresh Obsidian cores remain as pebbles of Marekanite or Apache Tears. Found in Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico, Apache Tears are a type of Obsidian, a volcanic glass. 

Apache Tears are composed of the same silicon dioxide (SIO₂) as Quartz crystal.  However, because they melt and cool relatively rapidly due to volcanic activity, the stones do not have time to form the geometric structures found in Quartz.  This stone is considered an Obsidianite as all Apache Tears are Obsidian but not all Obsidian is an Apache Tear. 

They range in size from about .5” to 2” in diameter, and are mostly round with concave areas.  Though they appear to be solid black, some of them contain banding and will show light through them.

CHEMICAL FORMULA	SiO2 (around 70%)
SHAPE	N/A
CRYSTAL SYSTEM	Obsidian formation
HABIT	N/A
COLOR	Black, bluish, mahogany, golden, peacock, etc. – the colors due largely to refraction by microscopic bubbles
STREAK	White
LUSTER	Vitreous
TRANSPARENCY	Translucent
HARDNESS	5.5 Mohs
CLEAVAGE	N/A
FRACTURE	Conchoidal
SPECIFIC GRAVITY	2.33 g/cm3
REFRACTIVE INDEX	1.4-1.6
OPTICAL PROPERTIES	N/A

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DISCLAIMER

Crystallography Gems, inc. and CrystallographyGems.com do not dispense medical advice nor prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for medical problems. Always seek the advice of your medical physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions that you might have about a medical condition.