Specimen at a glance
| Mineral | Natural silica glass (impactite) |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | SiO2 (about 98%) |
| Mohs hardness | ~6 |
| Crystal system | Amorphous (glass) |
| Locality | Great Sand Sea, western Egypt |
| Form | Lot / parcel |
| You receive | The exact lot pictured |
About this specimen
Libyan Desert Glass is a natural, nearly pure silica glass (about 98% SiO₂) found scattered across a small strewn field in the Great Sand Sea of western Egypt. It formed roughly 29 million years ago, and recent research points to an airburst or impact event — intense heat from a meteorite exploding in the atmosphere or striking the ground — melting the local sandy soil into glass almost instantly. It isn’t volcanic and isn’t man-made; genuine Libyan Desert Glass is a natural impact glass found in only this one region on Earth, which is part of what makes it so collectible. (Its most famous piece is a scarab carved from Libyan Desert Glass and set into Tutankhamun’s pectoral jewelry, recovered from his tomb.)
This lot includes three natural pieces showing the pale yellow-to-tan, semi-translucent color and glassy texture the material is known for, each with its own surface texturing from tens of millions of years of desert weathering. Genuine Libyan Desert Glass has become harder to obtain as access to the source region has tightened, so supply stays limited.
A rare, conversation-worthy addition for tektite and impactite collectors, or for anyone drawn to minerals with an unusual origin story.
Inside Libyan Desert Glass
Not a mineral, not a meteorite — a piece of the Sahara that was flash-melted into glass some 29 million years ago.
The story: An ancient airburst or impact event over the Sahara superheated desert sand past 1,700°C, melting it into glass that rained back down across a single stretch of what is now the Egypt–Libya border. It’s classified as impact/airburst glass rather than a true meteorite — the glass is melted Earth, not fallen space rock.
Why collectors chase it: The origin story alone is remarkable, and a famous carved piece sits at the center of Tutankhamun’s breastplate — but the honey-yellow translucency of a raw piece is striking on its own.
Libyan Desert Glass: the science
- It is one of the purest natural glasses known, at roughly 98% silica.
- Some grains contain reidite, a high-pressure form of zircon, which points to a meteorite impact rather than lightning or volcanism.
- A carved piece of Libyan Desert Glass sits at the center of a scarab pectoral found in Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Go deeper
Want the full story on Libyan Desert Glass: how it forms, how to identify it, and what makes a great specimen?
Read Libyan Desert Glass: The Complete Guide Shop all Libyan Desert Glass
Questions about this piece
What is Libyan Desert Glass?
Libyan Desert Glass is natural silica glass scattered across the Great Sand Sea of western Egypt, near the Libyan border. It formed about 29 million years ago from an extreme heating event, most likely a meteorite impact or airburst.
Where was it found?
This lot comes from Great Sand Sea, western Egypt. We list a locality whenever it is known, because where a mineral formed is part of its story and its value.
How hard is it, and how should I care for it?
It rates ~6 on the Mohs scale. Treat like glass: about Mohs 6 and brittle, so avoid drops and knocks. Wipe or rinse and air dry.
Is this the exact lot I will receive?
Yes. This lot was photographed as a group, and you receive the pieces shown.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.