![]() ![]() Although Obsidian is plentiful it is rare in geological terms, only found in areas that have seen relatively recent volcanic activity. Arizona provides the majority of Apache Tears on the market, many coming from deposits in the foothills of Apache Leap Mountain. Obsidian is found in Italy, Scotland, Mexico and the western United States, with notable deposits in Oregon, California, Colorado, Idaho, Texas and Utah. Although Obsidian is an excellent material for knapping Apache Tears can contain considerable internal pressures and there is a risk they will explode into flying shards if they are sawn, cut or drilled. All forms of Obsidian are hard but brittle and fracture conchoidally (in shell-like flakes), making it useful for creating arrowheads and blades. Specific gravity ranges from 2.3 - 2.6, refractive indices are 1.4 - 1.6 and hardness is about 5 - 5.5 on the Moh Scale. Composed of about 70% Silicon Dioxide (Si O2) with various impurities they are chemically similar to Granite and Rhyolite, but are amorphous, without any defined crystal structure. These are the nodules that we know as Apache Tear Obsidian.Īpache Tears appear to be black but display a smokey gray-brown translucence when held to the light. Patches of this lava that are better protected from the elements or slower to absorb water remain glassy, somtimes weathering out of the Perlite as it erodes. At one point these lava fields were completely glassy, but time, water and erosion combine to change them into a soft gray rock known as Perlite. These glass stones are usually pebble sized (roughly 1-2 inches) and are found within masses of rhyolite lava. ![]() Individual rounded nodules of Obsidian are known as 'Apache Tears', 'Obsidian Drops' or 'Obsidian Pearls'. ![]() Obsidian is a type of volcanic glass created when lava rich in silica (Quartz) comes into contact with water and is cooled quickly, resulting in dark glassy sheets with colors ranging from green to brown and black. Some information we supply is obtained from historical sources, own experiences or represent opinions of a published author.A-Z of Crystals > A > APACHE TEAR OBSIDIAN If you are in need of medical attention please contact a health professional. Such cooling typically happens rapidly after a volcano becomes inactive.ĬAUTION: The information given for this item is not intended as diagnosis, treatment or prescription for any disease, nor is it presented as an alternative to regular medical attention. Origin: Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Australia, Canada, Chile, Georgia, Greece, El Salvador, Guatemala, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Scotland, Turkey and the United States.Ĭomposition: Black obsidian, like other types of obsidian, is a naturally produced volcanic glass formation that results from the cooling off of felsic lava.
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