Quick Facts
Formation & Origin
Tektites form during hypervelocity meteorite impacts. When a large meteorite strikes the Earth, the enormous energy melts and vaporizes both the meteorite and the target rock. Molten material is ejected at high speed into the upper atmosphere or even briefly into space, where it cools rapidly into glass as it falls back to Earth.
Different impact events created different tektite strewn fields. The Australasian field (the largest and youngest, ~790,000 years old) covers Southeast Asia to Australia. The Central European field produced moldavites (~15 million years old) from the Ries crater impact in Germany. The North American field (~35 million years old) is associated with the Chesapeake Bay impact.
The aerodynamic shapes of tektites (spheres, dumbbells, teardrops, discs) result from their spinning while molten during flight. Splash-form tektites cooled while spinning in the air. Layered tektites (Muong Nong type) solidified as thick, layered pools from material that didn't travel as far.
Identification Guide
Tektites are glassy, usually black or very dark, and feel lighter than expected for their size. Surface textures include pitting, grooves, and sculptured forms from atmospheric ablation. Splash-form tektites have distinctive aerodynamic shapes.
Distinguish from obsidian (which has flow banding and is volcanic, not impact-related), slag (typically has metallic inclusions and irregular vesicles), and artificial glass (too uniform). Tektites are virtually free of crystalline inclusions and water content, unlike volcanic glasses.
Spotting Fakes
The most commonly faked tektites are 'moldavites,' which command high prices. Genuine moldavite has a distinctive bubbly, wrinkled surface texture, green color when held to light, and contains lechatelierite (pure silica glass) inclusions visible under magnification. Factory-made glass moldavites are increasingly sophisticated but typically have a too-perfect green color, visible mold seams, and lack internal flow structures. For standard black tektites, the main risk is obsidian or slag being misrepresented.
Cultural & Metaphysical Traditions
Presented as cultural traditions, not scientific evidence
Tektites have been revered across cultures as sky stones or star stones. Their extraterrestrial connection (though they're terrestrial material transformed by impact) gives them a special status in crystal healing. Practitioners associate them with transformation, cosmic connection, and rapid spiritual growth. Moldavite in particular has developed a devoted following for its reputed intensity.
Where It's Found
Indochinite tektites, Australasian strewn field
Moldavites (green variety), highly collectible
Ivory Coast tektites, ~1.1 million years old
Bediasites and georgiaites, North American strewn field
Price Guide
Good to Know
Scratch test: At hardness 5.5, Tektite resists scratching from a knife but can be scratched by quartz. Best for pendants and earrings rather than rings.
Sources: Found in 4 notable locations worldwide, from Southeast Asia to United States.
Heft test: With a specific gravity of 2.30-2.50, Tektite feels lighter than most minerals. This lightness can help identify it.