Apache tear is a type of obsidian, a volcanic glass that is typically black or dark brown in color. It is a naturally occurring glass formed when lava cools quickly, trapping gases and other materials inside.
Apache tear is formed when lava cools and solidifies rapidly, trapping small bubbles of gas and other materials inside the glass. These bubbles can be seen as small, spherical inclusions inside the Apache tear.
Apache tears are typically found in volcanic areas, particularly in the western United States. They can be found in locations such as Arizona, New Mexico, and California, where there are ancient volcanic fields. They can also be found in alluvial deposits, or in areas where the Apache tear has been weathered out of the volcanic rock and transported by water or wind.
The history of Apache tear is closely related to the Apache tribe, which is said to have used Apache tear as a sacred stone. The legend says that Apache women cried tears of grief when their warriors died in battle, and that these tears solidified into Apache tears. This legend is the origin of the name "Apache tear".
In terms of age, Apache tears are relatively young, typically forming during volcanic eruptions that occurred anywhere from thousands to millions of years ago.