Tektites are natural glass objects formed by the terrestrial debris ejected during large meteorite impacts. They are characterized by their smooth or pitted surfaces and aerodynamic shapes, which reflect their molten state as they cooled in flight.

Hardness

5.5-6.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

None

Transparency

Translucent

fossiluncommon

Tektites

Also: impact glass

Hardness: 5.5-6.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: None
Transparency: Translucent

Is this tektites?

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 tektites with a known reference. Tektites sits at Mohs 5.5-6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tektites leaves a none streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Tektites typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black, brown, olive green, yellowish-green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: amorphous. Typical habit: rounded, teardrop, or button-shaped nodules.

Often confused with

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

igneous

Obsidian

Mohs 5-6

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Tektites leaves none, Obsidian leaves white.

Compare →

Often found alongside tektites

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

All properties

Mohs hardness: 5.5-6.5
Density: 2.3-2.6 g/cm³
Colors: Black Brown Olive Green Yellowish-green
Streak: None
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Amorphous
Crystal habit: Rounded, Teardrop, Or Button-shaped Nodules
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Collector, Lapidary
Host rock: Strewn Fields Associated with Meteorite Impact Sites
Typical price: $10-50 per gram depending on shape and locality

Where rockhounds find tektites

5 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Czech Republic
Vietnam
Thailand
China
Philippines

Field-hunting tip

Look in strewn fields associated with meteorite impact sites country — that is the host setting where tektites typically forms. If you start seeing impactite, shocked quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rounded, teardrop, or button-shaped nodules habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Texas, Georgia — start trip planning there.

Browse 5 U.S. spots for tektites →

Common questions

How do you identify tektites?+

Mohs hardness is 5.5-6.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is none. Common colors include black, brown, olive green, yellowish-green.

Where is tektites found?+

Notable localities include Czech Republic; Vietnam; Thailand; China; Philippines.

Can I find tektites in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 5 tektites rockhounding spots across 2 U.S. states — the top states are Texas, Georgia.

How much is tektites worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $10-50 per gram depending on shape and locality. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like tektites?+

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

What minerals are found with tektites?+

Tektites commonly co-occurs with impactite, shocked quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does tektites form in?+

Tektites typically forms in strewn fields associated with meteorite impact sites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is tektites used for?+

Tektites is used in collector, lapidary.

Find tektites on the map

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