meteorite
Tektite
Natural impact glass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 5.5 to 6.5, dark brown to black color, vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure with no cleavage, and specific gravity around 2.3 to 2.5.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 5.5 to 6.5, dark brown to black color, vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure with no cleavage, and specific gravity around 2.3 to 2.5.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the immense heat and pressure of terrestrial meteorite impacts melting surrounding rocks, which then splashed into the atmosphere and solidified before falling back to Earth.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as a collector's specimen, in lapidary arts for jewelry, and historically carved into talismans.
Geological facts
Despite their extraterrestrial association, tektites are actually composed of melted Earth crust rather than space rock itself.
Field identification & locations
Identified by their characteristic pitted, fluid-like aerodynamic shapes and glass-like fracture; commonly found in major strewn fields across Southeast Asia, Australia, and Europe.
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