Description Apache Tears – Small, a form of Obsidian, has an amorphous crystal system and is in the mineral class of oxides. It is traditionally found in areas in the southwestern USA. Apache Tears are rounded nodules of black obsidian (volcanic glass). Generally we only find them in a 1/2 to 3/4 inch in size. They get their start from lava flows that did not have even hydration are are found embedded in what is called Perlite (a bluish white matrix). The perlite is what forms when water has been added before the obsidian cooled. Since the hydration was uneven, these beautiful little nodules are what came to be in the middle of the mix.
