igneous

Apache Tear (Obsidian)

Volcanic glass (SiO2 - Silicon Dioxide)

Hardness: 5 to 5.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Black, appearing translucent smoky brown when held to light; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Cleavage: Conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 5 to 5
Color: Black, appearing translucent smoky brown when held to light
Luster: Vitreous/glassy

Identified May 18, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5 to 5.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Black, appearing translucent smoky brown when held to light; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Cleavage: Conchoidal fracture.

Formation & geological history

Formed when felsic lava cools rapidly with minimal water content, preventing crystal growth. They are rounded nodules found within gray perlite matrices, typically from Tertiary-aged volcanic deposits.

Uses & applications

Used in jewelry as beads or cabochons, for ornamental carvings, and by collectors. Historically used for making tools and arrowheads.

Geological facts

Legend says they formed from the tears of Apache women mourning warriors who jumped off a cliff rather than be captured; the tears froze into these dark stones.

Field identification & locations

Identified by their rounded 'pebble' shape, glassy texture, and smoky translucency when back-lit. Commonly found in the American Southwest, particularly Arizona and New Mexico.

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