Libyan Desert Glass

Libyan Desert Glass is a tektite, or a silicated glass formation (from the Greek tektos, meaning "melted"). Tektites are named for the localities in which they are found, hence: Australites, Indochinites, Philippinites, Libyan Desert Glass, etc. They are the result of asteroids slamming into and melting the Earth's surface—the extraordinary heat and pressure liquifies terrestrial rocks, which are splashed into the atmosphere before returning to Earth as solidified glass. Tektites are terrestrial in origin, with the impact event responsible for Libyan Desert Glass having occurred approximately 28.5 million years ago in the southwest corner of the Great Sand Sea near what is currently the Egypt/Libya border.

The higher the silica content in the melted material, the lighter the color. Libyan Desert Glass is 98% silica (molten sand) and is yellow-hued whereas other tektites range from green (Moldavites) to charcoal (Indochinites). This example is a gorgeous golden color with a matte surface that reflects light off of its many sides. A particularly stunning feature of this specimen is evidenced at the bottom right of the first image, where the scalloped surface resembles the structure of a dragonfly wing. Libyan Desert Glass was used as a gemstone in Pharaonic Egypt, and an especially coveted specimen was discovered in the tomb of King Tutankhamun.