Apache Tears are the translucent variety of Black Obsidian. They are made of volcanic glass. Apache Tears received their name because it is said that grieving Apache women, who lost their loved ones in a raid, cried for a month and their tears fell to the ground, becoming a form of Black Obsidian. This is why Apache Tears will often protect the wearer from grief and sorrow. The Tears will absorb the grief and release old hurts, and lifting the spirit. They allow you to forgive others without being bitter.

Apache Tears can protect one when travelling, especially at night. Place on your desk to keep demanding co-workers at bay and guard against hostility. Apache Tears can be given to children who’ve been traumatized – let them hold one up to a light source so that they may see that ‘there is light’ out there, and all is not dark.

Generally, all Obsidian protects the wearer from hostility, negativity, psychic ‘vampires’ and spiritual entities that do not belong. It offers release from tension and enables one to move forward in his/her life, with a more promising outlook.

Physically, Obsidian often points to the root cause of an illness. It clears the blockages that cause disease. Use Obsidian for detoxifying, alleviating bleeding, increasing blood circulation, and helping with the pain associated with arthritis and other joint discomfort. Use Apache Tears to help with deficiencies of Vitamins D and C, muscle spasms and knee discomfort.

Physical and Metaphysical Properties for

PROPERTIES FOR STONE: Apache Tears

PRIMARY CHAKRA: Root-Chakra

CRYSTAL SYSTEM: Amorphous-Crystal-System

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION: SiO2 Silicon Dioxide with impurities

ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Aries-(March-21-to-April-19), Capricorn-(December-22-to-January-19)

NUMERICAL VIBRATION: Number-1

HARDNESS: 5-to-5.5-Hardness

COLOR: Black

LOCATION: China

RARITY: Common

PRONUNCIATION: uh-pach-ee teer

MINERAL CLASS: Mineraloids

ISSUES AND AILMENTS (PHYSICAL): Detoxifying, Muscle-Pain-or-Issues, Nail-Diseases-and-Disorders

ISSUES AND AILMENTS (EMOTIONAL): Coping-with-Grief, Dispel-or-Release-Negativity, Distress, Emotional-Abuse, Emotional-Blockages, Forgiveness

ISSUES AND AILMENTS (SPIRITUAL): Clarity, Grounding, Mental-Clarity, Psychic-Protection, Spiritual-Protection

EXTRA GRADE: Beautiful jet black color, transluscent, <10% matrix

A GRADE: Nice black color, partially translucent, 10% - 25% matrix

B GRADE: Poor black color, opaque and/or >25% matrix

AFFIRMATION: I am healing emotional wounds.

QUESTION: What is a source of strength for you during times of grief?

REFERENCE 1: http://www.healingcrystals.com/Do_Apache_Tears_Need_to_Be_Cleansed_More_Frequently__Articles_4841.html

REFERENCE 2: http://www.healingcrystals.com/What_Is_The_Difference_Between_Black_Obsidian_And_Apache_Tears__Articles_11238.html