Apache Tears Crystal Guide: meaning, origin & properties
Learn what Apache Tears is, where ours comes from, traditional associations across cultures, and how to identify a real specimen, in our complete Apache Tears Crystal Guide.
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These are A-grade Apache Tear raw stones from Arizona, United States, sold by the piece or by the pound. Apache Tears are rounded nodules of obsidian, a natural volcanic glass that glows smoky brown when held to light. Each piece runs 1-2 inches and was bought directly at the source. A favorite grounding stone for pockets.
Apache Tears is most commonly classified as Obsidian (natural volcanic glass) / Mineraloid (silica-rich glass). It's typically seen in black tones. Crystal system: Amorphous (volcanic glass). On the Mohs scale it generally falls around 5-5.5. Chemical formula commonly cited: Volcanic glass (variable).
It typically forms in Rapidly cooled silica‑rich lava (volcanic glass). Common commercial sources include United States (Arizona, New Mexico), Mexico. Material is most often obtained through Surface quarry/collection from volcanic flows; hand tools.
Trade name for small rounded obsidian nodules. "Apache tear" is a modern name for rounded obsidian nodules, tied to Southwestern U. S. folklore. Common confusions on the market include Sometimes confused with man‑made glass; natural obsidian often shows flow banding and conchoidal fracture.
Apache Tears is often worked with for themes of emotional healing, protection, grounding, stress relief. Emotional balance, energetic boundaries, grounded presence, calm nervous energy.
Entry/daily carry: keep near entryway or carry in pocket. Softening tension, boundary support, steadying support.
These are traditional associations drawn from historical practice. This stone is not a substitute for medical or mental health care.
Offered as a starting point for your own practice.
Keep chemical cleaners away from it; they can etch the surface.
Natural apache tear from Arizona, United States. Untreated. A naturally tumbled obsidian.
You'll receive pieces from the same batch photographed, weighed to the amount you choose. Every piece passes our quality control and meets or exceeds what you see in the photos. Single specimens are listed separately and say so.
Each piece measures 1 to 2 inches on its longest side and weighs 20 to 50 grams. About 12 to 20 pieces per pound at this size, and each option shows its piece count.
Grades reflect visual quality within a batch. A is standard, with typical inclusions. AA shows stronger color, cleaner surfaces and tighter sizing. AAA is the top 10 to 15 percent of a batch. Every lot is inspected and graded by our team in Rockville, Maryland, not taken on the supplier’s word.
This batch is from Arizona, United States. It came to us through a direct source, one of the sourcing models we publish and stand behind.
Every lot is inspected and graded by our expert team before it is listed, not taken on the supplier's word. A on this listing means stronger color, cleaner surfaces and tighter sizing than the batch average. Pieces that miss the mark never reach the shop.
How We GradeWe work directly with the mine or workshop, with no intermediaries in between. The relationship is personal, pricing is transparent, and we can speak to each batch. We say what we know and where our tracing stops.
Our Sourcing StandardsEverything we sell is natural in origin: never synthetic, never dyed, never coated. Where a stone has been heated, irradiated or stabilized, which is common in the trade for some species, we say so on the listing. If a piece is not as described, return it within 90 days of delivery.
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