Tektite

specimen number:
2063123

location:
Nakhon Ratchasimae, Thailand

description:
A stalactitic somewhat rounded lustrous black example of tektite. Perfect all around, this weighs 46 g. Specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark.

Nakhon Ratchasima, located in northeastern Thailand on the Khorat Plateau, features a geology dominated by extensive sedimentary rock formations and alluvial deposits that overlie ancient Mesozoic basins. Historically, the region has been widely known for mineral and gem gathering, where local mining operations targeting alluvial rubies and sapphires frequently recovered smooth, dark glassy objects. These glassy stones are tektites, which local collectors and rockhounds actively search for within the superficial soil layers and waste gravels left behind by gem-washing activities.

A tektite is a natural glassy object formed when a large meteorite strikes the Earth's surface, melting and ejecting terrestrial rock into the upper atmosphere where it rapidly cools into glass before falling back down across large zones known as strewn fields. Unlike volcanic glass, tektites contain almost no water, exhibit unique flow structures, and possess a high silica content. They are typically dark brown or black and appear in various aerodynamic shapes such as spheres, teardrops, and irregular blobs.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.