Libyan Desert Glass is a natural impact glass formed approximately 29 million years ago, likely resulting from a meteorite airburst in the Saharan desert. It is typically found as translucent, yellow-toned pebbles scattered across the Great Sand Sea, often exhibiting distinct surface pitting from wind erosion.
Is this libyan desert glass?
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 libyan desert glass with a known reference. Libyan Desert Glass sits at Mohs 6-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Libyan Desert Glass leaves a none streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Libyan Desert Glass typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, milky white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: amorphous. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Libyan Desert Glass vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Libyan Desert Glass leaves none, Moldavite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Libyan Desert Glass leaves none, Obsidian leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Libyan Desert Glass leaves none, Quartz leaves white.
Often found alongside libyan desert glass
Minerals reported to co-occur with libyan desert glass. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 2.21 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- None
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Amorphous
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Impactite
- Typical price
- $50-500+ depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find libyan desert glass
Classic worldwide localities
- Great Sand Sea, Egypt
- Eastern Sahara Desert, Libya
Field-hunting tip
Look in impactite country — that is the host setting where libyan desert glass typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, feldspar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find libyan desert glass on the map
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