Apache Tears are unique geological specimens, highly valued by collectors and rockhounds, found predominantly across the American Southwest. These small, dark stones carry a poignant cultural history tied to their name, merging geology and folklore. Understanding the true nature of these captivating pebbles requires examining both the science behind their creation and the legend behind their identity.
Volcanic Glass Composition
Apache Tears are scientifically classified as a form of obsidian, a naturally occurring volcanic glass. They are not true minerals because they are amorphous solids, lacking a fixed, ordered crystalline structure. Their chemical makeup is predominantly silicon dioxide (SiO2), similar to quartz. The rapid cooling process prevents the atoms from arranging into a geometric lattice. This high silica content, typical of rhyolitic lava flows, gives the material its characteristic glassy texture and hardness.
Formation Through Hydration and Cooling
The formation of Apache Tears is a specific geological process involving the interaction of hot lava and water. They originate from siliceous lava flows that cooled quickly, creating obsidian. During this cooling phase, excessive water causes the surrounding obsidian to absorb moisture and chemically alter. This hydration process transforms the majority of the material into perlite, a softer, lighter-colored volcanic rock.
The Apache Tears are the unhydrated cores of the original obsidian that resisted this alteration. These small, rounded nodules remain embedded within the perlite matrix. Over time, erosion wears away the soft perlite, freeing the distinctive, pebble-sized obsidian spherules, sometimes called marekanite.
Physical Properties and Geographic Location
These nodules are typically small, ranging from one half-inch to two inches in diameter, and feature a rounded or subangular shape. Apache Tears are usually dark brown to black, exhibiting a vitreous, or glassy, luster. While they appear opaque, holding the whole pebble up to a strong light source reveals their smoky translucency.
On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, they measure between 5 and 5.5, meaning they are relatively soft and can be scratched by a knife blade. The primary areas for finding Apache Tears are in the western United States, with the most famous deposits located in the Southwestern states, particularly Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah.
The Legend Behind the Name
The evocative name “Apache Tears” comes from a tragic cultural legend connected to the Apache people and a battle in the 1870s. The story centers on a conflict with the U.S. Cavalry on a mountain, often associated with Apache Leap near Superior, Arizona. Facing inevitable defeat, the outnumbered Apache warriors reportedly chose to ride their horses off the cliff to their deaths rather than surrender.
The wives and families of the fallen warriors gathered near the base of the mountain and wept for their loved ones. Legend states that the Great Spirit turned the tears of the grieving women into small, dark stones as they hit the ground, ensuring the sorrow and courage of the event would never be forgotten.