mineral
Fulgurite
Lechatelierite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6-7 on the Mohs scale, with a glassy, vitreous luster and amorphous crystal structure. Colors range from grayish-white to dark brown, often featuring a rough, fused exterior texture.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Fulgurite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 6-7 on the Mohs scale, with a glassy, vitreous luster and amorphous crystal structure. Colors range from grayish-white to dark brown, often featuring a rough, fused exterior texture.
Formation & geological history
Formed instantly when a powerful cloud-to-ground lightning strike hits sandy soil, melting and fusing quartz grains together at temperatures exceeding 1,800 degrees Celsius.
Uses & applications
Collected by hobbyists and researchers studying lightning events or ancient paleoclimates. Rarely used in unique wire-wrapped jewelry.
Geological facts
Fulgurites are colloquially known as petrified lightning. They can sometimes preserve ancient air bubbles and organic material from the moment of the strike.
Field identification & locations
Found in sandy deserts, beaches, or dunes struck by lightning. Collectors identify them by their hollow, tubular root-like structures and glassy interiors.
