Collection: Tectite

Tektite is a type of natural glass of extraterrestrial origin, formed as a result of a meteorite impact.

🔬 Definition

Tektites are pieces of natural black, brown, or greenish glass created when the intense heat of a meteorite impact melts terrestrial rocks. This molten material is then ejected into the atmosphere, where it rapidly cools to form solid droplets.

🌍 Origin and training

• When a meteorite hits Earth, the impact energy is enough to melt and vaporize local rocks.

• The molten material is ejected at high speed and can travel hundreds or thousands of kilometers.

• As it falls, it quickly solidifies in the atmosphere, forming glassy, ​​aerodynamic objects.

• Unlike meteorites, tektites do not come from space but are the result of the transformation of terrestrial rocks under the effect of a space impact.

🧪 Features

• Composition : Mostly silica (like glass), with little or no air bubbles or crystals.

• Color : black, dark green or brown, depending on the minerals contained.

• Shapes : droplets, discs, buttons, ellipsoids – often aerodynamic.

• No crystallization : Unlike some other natural glasses (such as volcanic obsidian), tektites are extremely homogeneous.

📍 Where can we find them?

Tektites are found in areas called "strewnfields" , generally located far from the impact crater:

• Australia/Southeast Asia : Moldavites

• Africa : Ivorians

• North America : Georgites

• China/Vietnam : Indochinese

💎 Use and interest

• Jewelry and decorative objects : in particular moldavites , highly sought after for their green color.

• Scientific study : valuable for understanding meteorite impacts, extreme heat and pressure conditions, and Earth's history.

• Esotericism : some beliefs attribute energetic or spiritual properties to tektites.