This
Apache Tear has been tumbled, polished and photographed in front
of a light. When you hold the rock in your hand, it appears to
be black. If you hold it up to the light, it appears to be almost
clear.This
Apache Tear has been tumbled, polished and photographed in front
of a light. When you hold the rock in your hand, it appears to
be black. If you hold it up to the light, it appears to be almost
clear.
"One day a party of Apache Indians was ambushed by an enemy
tribe. The Apaches fought bravely but were greatly outnumbered
and were driven to the top of a very high mountain. Their arrows
were gone, and they could fight no longer. Refusing to be taken
captive, they leaped, as one, from the cliffs to the rocks below.
"The Apache women, grief-stricken over the death of their
brave warriors, shed torrents of tears. The tears became petrified
and turned to stone."1
Apache tears are actually small pieces of obsidian or volcanic
glass. When held in the palm of your hand, the stone appears to
be black. When held to the light, you are able to see through
the stone.
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1 Jean Bartenbach, Rockhound Trails, Atheneum, 1977, p.
55.