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Tanzanian Tektite
Current inventory:  0 gems
 

Chemistry:  SiO₂ (75% Silica + Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ti)

Discovery: unknown;   IMA status: Not Valid
Tanzanian Tektites are named after their source in Tanzania (in alluvial deposits and in a river bed at the base of Mt. Kilamanjaro).

Classification

Mineral Classification:

Mineraloids

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

n/a

Nickel-Strunz 10th Ed. ID:

n/a

Crystal Data

Crystallography:

Amorphous (natural glass)

Crystal Habit:

n/a

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

None

Fracture:

Conchoidal, Sub-conchoidal

Tenacity:

Brittle

Moh's Hardness:

5.5 - 6.5

Density:

2.33 - 3.00 (g/cm³)

Radioactivity:

Not Radioactive

Optical Properties

Color:

Dark Brown, Black

Transparency:

Translucent to Opaque

Luster:

Vitreous

Refractive Index:

1.46 - 1.54  Isotropic

Birefringence:

0.00 (Isotropic)

Dispersion:

n/a

Pleochroism:

n/a

Occurances

Geological Setting:

Meteor impact zones

Type Locality:

The former French colonies of Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia) but also found in Thailand and southern China

Year Discovered:

n/a

View mineral photos:

Indochinite Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org  (Indochinite)
Mindat.org  (Tektite)

This mysterious gem has been called many names including Green Obsidian, African Moldavite, Tanzanian Tektites, Green Volcanic Glass and even just glass. One source says the Tanzanian natives call it Obsidianite. It is reported to be found in alluvial deposits and in a river bed at the base of Mt. Kilamanjaro. Some say it is a natural volcanic glass, some argue that it is man-made glass, others claim it is of meteoric origin similar to Moldavite. Calling it "African Moldvite" is incorrect however, since Moldavite only comes from the Moldau River reqion of the Czech Republic. Where ever this material comes from or however it was formed, it is a stunning gem of the finest Tsavorite green color found anywhere. The green Tektites usually contain gas bubbles and "swirl" like inclusions typical of other Tektites.

Tanzanian Tektites may be similar to other Tektites such as Indochinites, Libyan Desert Glass and Moldavite. Tektites may be Meteoric Silica Glass as a result of the impact of a meteor on Earth. Tektites are usually found in association with meteor impact craters or suspected ancient craters. Their origin is not fully understood. The leading theory, the "Meteorite Impact Theory", is that when a meteorite hits the Earth, the heat and pressure of the impact are so great that it causes rock and sand to be fused into glass or Tektites.
 

  
Tanzanian Tektite gems for sale:

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