Beautiful crystals, rare finds, and gifts with meaning—discover them
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At Grounded Lifestyles, we get asked one of the most common gem and mineral show questions:
“What is the difference between a tektite and a meteorite?”
The quick answer:
A meteorite is a metallic or stony body that survives its fiery journey through Earth’s atmosphere, while a tektite is a small, dark, glassy object formed from Earth material melted by a meteorite impact, thrown into the atmosphere, cooled, and then re-entered to strike the ground.
This article focuses on tektites—their origins, locations, varieties, and identifying features. For the full story, we recommend reading our companion article on meteorites.
Tektites are rare impact glasses created when a large meteorite collides with silica-rich soil. The intense heat melts terrestrial rock, which is then ejected into space, partially cooled, and re-enters Earth’s atmosphere at high velocity. The result is a uniquely shaped, aerodynamically smoothed piece of natural glass with no water content.
The term comes from the Greek word tektos, meaning “molten.” Ancient Chinese writings from over 1,000 years ago refer to them as the “Inkstone of the Thunder God.”
To qualify as a true tektite, scientists look for very specific conditions:
Tektites occur in strewn fields—vast areas scattered with impact glass. Major regions include:
Other notable finds include Libyan Desert Glass, Aouelloul Crater in Mauritania, and microtektites in deep-sea sediments.
Tektites are often classified by shape and formation process:
No water content (unlike volcanic obsidian).
High silica content (68–82%).
Hardness of 6–7 on the Mohs scale.
Density between 2.2–2.8 g/cm³.
Distinctive aerodynamic shapes and etched surfaces.
Tektites are not just geological curiosities—they’re tangible evidence of cosmic events and planetary history. From spiritual healing to scientific research, these natural impact glasses continue to captivate collectors, jewelers, and researchers alike. Enjoy our Mine to Mind Articles, Meteorites. Shop meteorites-tektites. Explore our E-Book Library. Read our post on meteorites what they are and the different types. You may also enjoy a post on Saffordites.
At Grounded Lifestyles, our love for crystals began in the peaceful flow of Reiki and energy healing sessions — where we saw how natural stones could amplify intentions, restore balance, and bring comfort. But the more time we spent with these treasures, the more curious we became about their origins. That curiosity led us into the fascinating world of geology and mineral specimen collecting. We fell in love not just with the energy of crystals, but with the science and artistry of their creation — the intricate crystal structures, the vibrant mineral hues, and the wonder of holding a piece of Earth’s history in our hands.
