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?
4-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.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, milky white.
- 4Look 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.
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
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Amorphous
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary
- Host rock
- impactite
Where rockhounds find libyan desert glass
Classic worldwide localities
- Great Sand Sea, Egypt
- Eastern Sahara Desert, Libya
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: impactite. If you start seeing quartz, feldspar in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify libyan desert glass?+
Where is libyan desert glass found?+
What rocks look like libyan desert glass?+
What minerals are found with libyan desert glass?+
What kind of rock does libyan desert glass form in?+
What is libyan desert glass used for?+
Find libyan desert glass on the map
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