Obsidian nodule host rock?

[dirtsifter]

I recently purchased some obsidian nodules. In the package I received was some host rock. The first picture shows some of that rock even containing a nodule. I tried looking up what that rock might be without success.  I'm still new to all this. I figured this is probably common knowledge to many.  In the second picture is a sampling of some of the nodules. 

[fernwood]

Apache Tears. They are often in this type of host rock.

[fuss]

Perlite its called.

[hummingbirdstones2]

Yup, that's the stuff. Perlite.

We've never done it, but have been told by several people if you bake the "real" apache tears like those they will bloom back up into that material.

[dirtsifter]

Jan 27, 2023 21:17:34 GMT -5 hummingbirdstones2 said:

Yup, that's the stuff. Perlite.

We've never done it, but have been told by several people if you bake the "real" apache tears like those they will bloom back up into that material.

Perlite eh? When I get back home I am going to have a look at some perlite I have in the greenhouse. I would have not guessed that. I see many people calling small pieces of obsidian apache tears but is that so? The nodules I have range  in size 1.5 in oval to less than 3/8 in spheres and all in between. All have a, um. wrinkled surface filled with host. The perlite breaks off in shards, conchoidal in places.  Are the nodules "real" apache tears ?  The internet sources can be so contradictory and always want to sell me something 🙄

I also recovered a few small 2mm cubes of pyrite in the box the nodules came in.  I think the fellow I purchased it from dumped the remainder of what he had left in a bucket of nodules because I got a lot of shards of obsidian, perlite, and other unidentifiable  rock sand/dust/particles. I got way more pounds than what  I paid for so not concerned it contained misc stuff.

The perlite piece which contains  the obsidian nodule  I am going to keep as an educational specimen, to show and teach the grand kids. We are all learning together.  I feel bad I pulled a couple of the larger nodules out of one of the perlite chunks as it would have been a better specimen. Live and learn.

Thanks for your answers all!  You are all so kind.  Now if I can get an answer in my post under rock carving about a Grizzly flex tool....LOL  

Trevor

"if you bake the "real" apache tears like those they will bloom back up into that material"  Ah horrors!!!....  but for the sake of science...maaaaybe.

[rickb]

I've had friends melt some and it foams up due to internal gasses.

[quartzilla]

It’s for sure perlite. Cool Apache Tears!

[hummingbirdstones2]

As for the "real" Apache Tears, the ones from Superior, AZ (where the story behind the name happened) formed in Perlite. I have also seen all sorts of obsidian chunks called Apache Tears. Many times they are obviously angular and broken-down pieces of obsidian from who knows where.

[dirtsifter]

Jan 28, 2023 22:19:37 GMT -5 hummingbirdstones2 said:

As for the "real" Apache Tears, the ones from Superior, AZ (where the story behind the name happened) formed in Perlite. I have also seen all sorts of obsidian chunks called Apache Tears. Many times they are obviously angular and broken-down pieces of obsidian from who knows where.

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate that.