Tektite
Image: James St. John (CC BY 2.0)
Mineral NameTektite
Chemical FormulaSiO2 (amorphous, with various oxides)
Mohs Hardness5.5
Crystal Systemamorphous
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagenone
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.4
Colorsblack
Transparencytranslucent to opaque
Type LocalityAustralasian Tektite Strewn Field, southeastern Asia
Mineral GroupNatural glass (Impactite)
Usescollector, jewelry
Rarityuncommon
Description
This is a black, irregularly shaped tektite with a characteristic pitted and textured surface, typical of an Indochinite. Its overall form is somewhat rounded, reflecting its aerodynamic journey through the atmosphere.
Geological Context
Tektites are natural glasses formed from terrestrial material melted and ejected during large meteorite impacts. This specific Indochinite tektite originated from the Australasian Tektite Strewn Field during the Pleistocene epoch, approximately 783-803 thousand years ago.
