Description
The Apache tear obsidian pendant, a stone that lets light through where black obsidian stops it cold, held up to the sun, it reveals smoky, almost golden brown transparencies, invisible until you look at it that way. It’s the only translucent obsidian variety in my collection. Handmade with natural stones, it’s the one you wear for this paradox: a dark stone that lets the daylight in.
The Apache tear is a small obsidian nodule, naturally rounded by erosion rather than hand-cut, a mineral pebble, polished by time before it ever reaches a workshop. Its distinguishing feature is its translucency: unlike classic black obsidian, opaque and dense, the Apache tear lets light filter through at its edges, in smoky-brown to amber tones, while keeping a dark core.
This stone’s name comes from a Native American legend, tied to the mourning of Apache women after a tragic battle, a story I’d rather evoke with restraint than tell in detail for commercial purposes. What matters most to remember is that the legend gave its name to a stone since recognised for its gentleness, almost the opposite of black obsidian’s intensity.
In crystal healing, the Apache tear is traditionally described as a gentler variety than black obsidian, associated with easing grief and moving through mourning, a reading directly inherited from its name. It keeps the grounding properties common to all obsidians, but in a version many find less confronting to wear day to day.
To learn everything about this variety and its history, discover my article on Apache tears or my complete guide to obsidian.
- 100 % natural Apache tear obsidian, translucent at the edges
- Naturally rounded shape, uncut
- Handmade in my workshop, in France, one of a kind
- Delivered ready to wear on its black nylon cord
The jewel from every angle
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Specifications
- Stone type
- Apache tear obsidian
- Colour
- Dark brown to black, translucent edges under light
- Pendant
- Naturally rounded stone, 15-20 mm / 9/16-3/4 in
- Setting
- Black nylon cord, included
- Length
- 45 cm / 17 3/4 in, adjustable
- Gender
- Women and men
- Brand
- Bijoux Obsidienne
Handcrafted by Camille
Every pendant is assembled by hand in my workshop, in France. The Apache tear demands a different kind of sorting from my other stones: I check every nodule against the light to make sure the translucency is really there, because that’s what makes this variety worthwhile, an opaque stone has no place here, even if it carries the same name.
It’s a stone I’d wanted to add to the catalogue for a long time, especially because it behaves so differently from black obsidian: smaller, gentler, almost shy. Discover the story of the workshop, or my whole collection of obsidian pendants.
“It’s the only one of my obsidians that accepts light instead of throwing it back. That changes everything it tells you.”, Camille
Care: a soft cloth is all it takes; avoid salt, knocks and prolonged water, and take it off before showering or exercising. All my tips are in the cleaning guide.
