Libyan Desert Glass
Location: Great Sand Sea, Western Desert of Egypt.
Coordinates: 25°24'00.0"N 25°30'00.0"E
Age: 29 million years, according to isotopic dating.
Weight: 8,8 g / 0,019 lb
Measurements: 33 x 25 x 16 mm / 1,30″ x 0,98″ x 0,63″
Composition: Up to 98% extremely pure silicon dioxide (SiO₂)
Mohs hardness scale: 6.5 to 7.
Impact crater: Some scientists have proposed a crater in or near the Gilf Kebir, but none of these features have been confirmed as impact craters.
History: In the heart of the Sahara Desert, among remote dunes and landscapes unchanged by time, lies one of the most enigmatic and pure natural materials on the planet: Libyan glass. With its characteristic golden yellow hue and silica purity exceeding 95%, this natural glass is a testament to a violent and extraordinary event that occurred more than 29 million years ago. Unlike other tektites formed by confirmed impacts, the origin of Libyan glass remains a matter of debate. The most widely accepted theory points to the explosion of a meteorite in the atmosphere (a hypervelocity airborne event) that generated temperatures exceeding 2,000°C, enough to instantly melt the desert quartz and project it at high speed before cooling into glass.

Interesting facts: This glass is fascinating not only for its origin, but also for its history: Tutankhamun himself wore a scarab carved from Libyan glass on his famous breastplate, which shows that its rarity and beauty were already appreciated in Ancient Egypt, even without knowing its celestial origin.

Display box and explanatory card as a gift.
This piece will travel insured in a safety package to arrive in perfect condition.