Australites are a type of tektite formed from terrestrial debris ejected during a meteorite impact approximately 800,000 years ago. They are highly prized by collectors for their distinctive, aerodynamically ablated shapes that resulted from their re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

Hardness

5-6

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

mineralcommonTektite family

Australite

Also: Australian Tektite

Hardness: 5-6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

Is this australite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch australite with a known reference. Australite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Australite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Australite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black, dark brown, olive green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: amorphous. Typical habit: rounded, button-shaped, dumbbell, tear-drop, or aerodynamically ablated forms.

Often confused with

Australite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

$Obsidian showing the bright conchoidal fracture and glassy black break that identify it$

Often found alongside australite

Minerals reported to co-occur with australite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: SiO₂
Mohs hardness: 5-6
Density: 2.3-2.5 g/cm³
Colors: Black Dark Brown Olive Green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Amorphous
Crystal habit: Rounded, Button-shaped, Dumbbell, Tear-drop, Or Aerodynamically Ablated Forms
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Collector, Lapidary
Host rock: Strewn Fields (alluvial Deposits)
Typical price: $10-100 per specimen

Where rockhounds find australite

Classic worldwide localities

South Australia
Western Australia
Victoria
Northern Territory

Field-hunting tip

Look in strewn fields (alluvial deposits) country, the host setting where australite typically forms. If you start seeing lechatelierite, quartz, iron oxides in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rounded, button-shaped, dumbbell, tear-drop, or aerodynamically ablated forms habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify australite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-6. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include black, dark brown, olive green.

Where is australite found?+

Notable localities include South Australia; Western Australia; Victoria; Northern Territory.

How much is australite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $10-100 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like australite?+

Australite is most often confused with Obsidian, Moldavite, Indochinite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with australite?+

Australite commonly co-occurs with Lechatelierite, Quartz, Iron oxides. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does australite form in?+

Australite typically forms in strewn fields (alluvial deposits). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is australite used for?+

Australite is used in collector, lapidary.

Find australite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.