Lechatelierite is a naturally occurring silica glass formed when lightning strikes sand (fulgurites) or during meteorite impacts. It lacks a crystalline structure, appearing as clear or bubbly glass shards that are often found in desert environments or near historic impact sites.
Is this lechatelierite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch lechatelierite with a known reference. Lechatelierite sits at Mohs 6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: amorphous. Typical habit: porcelainous.
Often confused with
Lechatelierite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside lechatelierite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lechatelierite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 2.5-2.65 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Amorphous
- Crystal habit
- Porcelainous
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific
- Host rock
- Naturally occurring fused quartz as inclusions in igneous rock, lightning strikes in sandy soils, and meteor impacts
Where rockhounds find lechatelierite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sahara Desert
- Libyan Desert
- Arizona, USA
- Hesse, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Naturally occurring fused quartz as inclusions in igneous rock, lightning strikes in sandy soils, and meteor impacts. If you start seeing sand, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: porcelainous. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
More lechatelierite photos
Common questions
How do you identify lechatelierite?+
Where is lechatelierite found?+
What rocks look like lechatelierite?+
What minerals are found with lechatelierite?+
What kind of rock does lechatelierite form in?+
What is lechatelierite used for?+
Find lechatelierite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
