mineral

Tektite (Indochinite)

Tektite (Natural Glass, SiO2 + Al2O3)

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Black (appearing bottle-green or brown on thin edges); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.3-2.5

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Black (appearing bottle-green or brown on thin edges)
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified January 15, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from terrestrial debris ejected into the atmosphere during a meteorite impact and rapidly cooled into glass. This specific Indochinite variety is part of the Australasian strewn field, dated back approximately 780,000 years.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as decorative collector specimens, in metaphysical jewelry, or for scientific research regarding impact events.

Geological facts

Tektites contain almost no water (0.005%), which is much lower than terrestrial volcanic glass like obsidian. The 'Indochinite' variety is the most common type found on Earth and is characterized by its pitted, flow-textured skin.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by looking for a pitted, 'melted' surface texture and conchoidal (shell-like) fracturing. Common locations include Southeast Asia, Australia, and parts of China. Unlike obsidian, it lacks phenocrysts (small crystals) and is typically very dark.

Other mineral specimens

See all

Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Epidote

Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)

metamorphic

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock

Green Apatite on Albite

Fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F] on Albite [Na(AlSi3O8)]

mineral

Epidote

Epidote - Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)3(SiO4)3(OH)

mineral