Apache Tears Earrings

My mother recently sent me a small bag of small stones called Apache Tears, also known as black obsidian. What is really special about these small stones is that back in the 1950s they were collected by my Great Grandmother Helen Malner in the great state of Nevada. Her daughter (my grandmother) saved these stones in a coffee can and my mother was given this can of stones many years ago. So, this Christmas my mother polished up a handful and sent them to me.

Since these were a special gift, I wanted to make something for my sister, and once I read the background of these stones I knew I need to send something using these stones to my sister. Thus the inspiration for this instructable. I made a pair of earrings for my sister using these small beautiful stones.

Diagonal cutters

Small needle nose pliers

Silver wire

Silver Earring hooks

Small silver loops

Two small Apache Tears stones (These can be purchased on line)

Starting with a hook and a small loop, take the silver wire and twist the wire to lock into the loop.

Continue to use the small needle nose pliers and bend the silver wire into a cage that firmly holds the stone. At the top of the stone, again wrap the end of the wire several times around to secure the stone and the end of the wire. Clean the finished earring with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol.

Place the earrings into a small gift box and wrap with pretty paper if desired to give your newly made Apache Tear earrings to that Special Someone!