Today, North Ranch's "Outdoor Club" was off to search for Apache Tears. Apache Tears are small rounded "droplets" created volcanically that are found in one small area south and east of Aguila, AZ. The trip was mostly on highways with the last 9.3 miles of the 45 mile total on freshly graded gravel roadway. The last quarter mile was rough, even for the collection of Jeeps and trucks we were using. It was certainly not anything our Honda Fit could traverse.
Somewhere around 25 intrepid rock hounds spread out in all directions searching for the treasured "Apache Tears." After a bit of calibration, it was pretty easy to spot the distinctive black stones. With the sun at the right angle, they would just "pop".
Our collection of Apache Tears. (ranging in size from 1/2 inch to 1 inch in diameter)
I'm hoping a few are big enough to slice.
After a few weeks in a rock tumbler, we are told the tears polish up very nicely. We found when strongly backlit the stones were semi-translucent and some were striped.
Joani found some Tears but was quickly drawn to all of the other geological oddities in the area. We are pretty sure some of what she found are geodes.
I can't wait to cut this baby open! (about 4.5 inches by 2.25 inches)
Several of the rocks were painted with minerals we guessed to be iron or sulfur and the volcanic origins were obvious.
Agates and conglomerates were so interesting that, of course, we had to bring home 20 or 30 pounds. We will have to wait until we return to the lapidary lab in Mesa to see what is hidden in these unusual specimens.
This little geode is about 2 inches in diameter. The exterior is so interesting. It looks like red lava was piped all over it.
Any chance you remember the location/trail/road?
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