meteorite
Tektite (Indochinite)
Tektite (High-silica natural glass)
Hardness: 5.5-6.5; Color: Black, dark brown (greenish in thin edges); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Amorphous glass; Texture: Pitted, grooved, or 'leathery' surface.
- Hardness
- 5
- Color
- Black, dark brown (greenish in thin edges)
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5.5-6.5; Color: Black, dark brown (greenish in thin edges); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Amorphous glass; Texture: Pitted, grooved, or 'leathery' surface.
Formation & geological history
Formed from terrestrial debris ejected into the atmosphere during a meteorite impact, which then melted and cooled rapidly into glass as it fell back to Earth. Indochinites are part of the Australasian strewn field, approximately 790,000 years old.
Uses & applications
Primarily collected as geological specimens, used in metaphysical jewelry, and studied by planetary scientists to understand impact events.
Geological facts
Tektites contain almost no water, making them much drier than any volcanic glass like obsidian. The name 'Indochinite' refers to their common location in Southeast Asia.
Field identification & locations
Identify by the lack of visible crystals, glassy fracture, and characteristic pitted 'skin' (sculpting) caused by atmospheric ablation. Found in 'strewn fields' such as Southeast Asia, Australia, and parts of Europe.
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