There is a haunting legend about the Apache teardrop. After the Pinal Apaches had made several raids on a settlement in Arizona, the military regulars and some volunteers trailed the tracks of the stolen cattle and waited for dawn to attack the Apaches. The Apaches, confident in the safety of their location, were completely surprised and out numbered in the attack. Nearly 50 of the band of 75 Apaches were killed in the first volley of shots. The rest of the tribe retreated to the cliff's edge and chose death by leaping over the edge rather than die at the hands of the white men.

 For years afterward those who ventured up the treacherous face of Bad Pacacho in Arizona found skeletons, or could see the bleached bones wedged in the crevices of the side of the cliff.

The Apache wives and the lovers of those who had died gathered a short distance from the base of the cliff where the sands were white, and for a moon they wept for their dead. They mourned greatly, for they realized that not only had their 75 brave Apache warriors died, but with them had died the great fighting spirit of the Pinal Apaches.

Their sadness was so great, and their burden of sorrow so sincere that the Great Father imbedded into black stones the tears of the Apache women who mourned their dead. It is said that if the stones are broken and a fleeting glimpse of color is seen, it is the ghost of a fallen warrior. These black obsidian stones, when held to the light, reveal the translucent tear of the Apache. The stones bring good luck to those possessing them. It is said that whoever owns an Apache teardrop will never have to cry again, for the Apache maidens have shed their tears in place of yours.

Apache Tears are a form of obsidian or volcanic glass.  It is a wonderful stone for grounding, thus enhancing our connection with Mother Earth. Obsidian reflects our flaws back to us; but also promotes an understanding of what we need to do in order to change those flaws into strengths, often with humor and spontaneity. Obsidian is a strong protector, shielding those who would carry it from negative energy.

Listen to the wind...It talks...
Listen to the silence...For it speaks...
Listen with your heart...
And you will learn and understand.

The Apache teardrops are also said to balance the emotional nature and protect one from being taken advantage of. It can be carried as an amulet to stimulate success in business endeavors. It is also used to produce clear vision and to increase psychic powers.

Black obsidian is a powerful meditation stone. The purpose of this gemstone is to bring to light that which is hidden from the conscious mind. It dissolves suppressed negative patterns and purifies them. It can create a somewhat radical behavior change as new positive attitudes replace old, negative, egocentric patterns.

Healing Properties:
Aids healing in all areas.  These small, dark, smoky-translucent obsidian pebbles ease and release pain, loss, sadness and anger, helping to heal and go on with life.  It is good for looking within, protection and vision quest, gently grounds and unblocks lower body and endocrine glands.

Magical/Metaphysical Properties:
Grounding - aids in the release of negative emotions and balances emotional nature. Said to bring good luck to those who possess one. Use in meditation or ritual to bring insight into areas of disturbance within yourself or your surroundings. Also use to aid in giving and accepting forgiveness. Dispels negativity and protects one from destructive forces.