The legend says that after a band of about 75 Pinal Apaches had made several raids on settlements in Arizona, taking cattle.  So a group made up of military regulars and local volunteers trailed the tracks of the stolen cattle.  Waiting for dawn to attack the Apaches.

The Apaches, who were confident in the safety of their location, were taken by surprise and outnumbered in the attack. With nearly 50 of the Apaches killed in the first volley of shots.   The remaining Apaches moved towards the cliff’s edge, choosing death by leaping off the edge than die a the hands of the white man.

The Apache women and the lovers of those who had died gathered close to the base of the cliff where the sands were white.  For a moon they wept for these that had died. 

Their grief was great and they mourned deeply.  As their realised that not only had 75 brave warriors died buut also the great fighting spirit of the Pinal Apaches.

It was said that their burden was so great and the burden of sorrow was so sincere that the Great Father imbeded into black stones the tears of the Apache women who had mourned their dead.  These stones when held to the light reveal the translucent tear of the Apache.

These stones are said to bring good luck to those who posses them, and that they will never have to cry again, for  the Apache women have shed their tears in place of yours.