OBSIDIAN (var. “APACHE TEARS”)

HISTORY, NAME, LOCALITIES: Because of its conchoidal fracture, obsidian can be flaked into extraordinarily sharp points and edges and has been used in tools and weapons since prehistory.  Its name stems from the Latin obsianus lapis, or “stone of Obsius,” after the Roman explorer who discovered an obsidian deposit.  “Apache tears” are named for an Apache legend in the American Southwest.  Notable sources are Ethiopia, Italy, Iceland, Peru, Mexico, and the United States (Arizona, Hawaii, New Mexico, Idaho, Nevada).

MINERALOGY, PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCE: Obsidian, pronounced obb-SIH-dee-un is a volcanic natural glass that is classified as mineraloid with neither definite chemical composition nor crystal structure.  It has a Mohs hardness of 6.0-7.0, no cleavage, a conchoidal fracture, and a specific gravity of 2.3-2.6.  Obsidian is an extrusive volcanic rock that formed from the very rapid solidification of rhyolitic lava and consists primarily of silica.  It is translucent to subtransparent with a vitreous luster on fresh surfaces.  Its black, greenish-black, or smoky colors are often mottled or banded.  “Apache tears” are the residual nodules of obsidian that remain after an obsidian body has weathered into perlite.

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES, LORE, USES: Metaphysical practitioners believe that black obsidian is a protective grounding and healing stone that provides clear vision and the ability to deal with grief.  Obsidian is a minor gemstone that is fashioned into cabochons.  Obsidian scalpels are increasingly used in specialized surgical procedures.

COLLECTORS’ INFORMATION: Obsidian “Apache tears” are collected for their black colors; bright, vitreous luster; and smooth, generally spherical shapes.  Black “Apache tears” in their light-colored perlite matrix make fine display specimens.