Tektite
Impactite (Tektite) · Meteoritic Material / Impactite
Crystal System
Amorphous (Non-crystalline glass)
Mineral Group
Natural Glass (Silicate glass, not a true mineral due to lack of crystalline structure)
Chemical Formula
SiO2 (predominantly silica glass with trace Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K)
Formation Process
Impact-induced melting. Formed when a large meteorite strikes the Earth's surface, melting terrestrial crustal rocks and ejecting the molten material high into the atmosphere where it cools rapidly into glassy droplets before falling back to Earth.
About This Crystal
Dark brown to nearly black, highly irregular, rounded to flattened pebble-like shape with characteristic deep pitting, grooved surface textures, and flow lines resulting from atmospheric ablation and contraction during rapid cooling.
Physical Characteristics
Color ranges from dark brown, olive green, to opaque black; streak is white (due to high silica glass); cleavage is absent; fracture is distinctly conchoidal; specific gravity is approximately 2.30 to 2.45; tenacity is brittle.
Optical Properties
Isotropic (singly refractive) due to amorphous glassy structure; refractive index is approximately 1.48 to 1.51; transparent in very thin fragments, typically translucent to opaque in larger specimens.
Hardness & Durability
Origin Region
Found globally near major meteorite impact craters; prominent strewn fields include Indochina (Australasian tektites), Czech Republic (Moldavites), Ivory Coast, and North America.
Hardness & Durability
Mohs hardness is around 5.5 to 6.5; toughness is moderate to brittle; sensitive to thermal shock and sharp impacts; suitable for wire-wrapped or protective jewelry settings.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with warm soapy water and a soft cloth; avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam, harsh chemicals, and extreme temperature changes; store separately to prevent scratching softer stones.
Rarity & Value
Uncommon to Rare depending on the specific strewn field and specimen quality; value is determined by size, unique sculptural shape, surface texture, and geographic origin; widely collected as mineral and meteorite companion specimens.
Special Characteristics
Amorphous glassy structure, aerodynamic ablation surface features, deep surface pittings (regmaglypts), and potential microscopic lechatelierite inclusions or gas bubbles trapped during rapid cooling.
Lore & History
Historically revered across various cultures as sacred stones fallen from the stars or talismans of good luck. In modern crystal healing, tektites are traditionally associated with the third eye and root chakras, believed to facilitate spiritual growth, cosmic connection, and energy balancing, though these are traditional beliefs rather than scientific claims.