mineral

Tektite (Indochinite)

Natural glass (High-silica impact glass)

Hardness: 5.5-6.5 (Mohs scale); Color: Black (opaque in thick sections, translucent bottle-green on thin edges); Luster: Vitreous to sub-vitreous; Structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Cleavage: Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.4

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous to sub-vitreous

Identified July 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed during a hyper-velocity meteorite impact approximately 780,000 years ago in Southeast Asia. The impact ejected terrestrial crustal material into the upper atmosphere where it melted and flash-cooled into glass while falling back to Earth.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as a gemstone in jewelry, for meditation and metaphysical practices, and as a popular specimen for educational or collector displays.

Geological facts

This specimen belongs to the Australasian strewn field, the largest tektite field on Earth. Unlike meteorites, tektites are mostly Earth-based material that was splashed into space and then returned.

Field identification & locations

Identify by the characteristic pitted, 'dimpled,' or 'leathery' surface texture (sculpting) caused by atmospheric ablation. Often found in streambeds or soil in Southeast Asia, Australia, and parts of China.

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