Libyan Desert glass is a tektite found only in a small area of a few
hundred square kilometers in Egypt, near the border of Libya. It has
been known since ancient times, with even carved pieces of the glass
found in tombs including that of King Tut! Scientists have always
debated the origin of the tektites, but only in the last decade has it
been finally proven to be an impact glass. No crater has been
identified, but it likely lies buried under the deep Sahara sands.
Some pieces of the
Libyan Desert Glass have veins or streaks of black material, and this
has been proven to be remnants of the meteorite which created the glass.
It has been studied and shows a very high Iridium and Germanium
concentration. The black pieces are very rare, and usually are one per
few hundred pieces, and they are scientifically very interesting.
The area where the
tektites are found is very far from any road, and expeditions to the
location are very difficult and expensive. For that reason, little of
the glass has come out (a few tons perhaps) and it tends to be quite
expensive. I have recently purchased a few hundred pounds of material,
and most was sent to China for jewelry production. I have kept back the
best pieces for sale to collectors or institutions, especially all
pieces with the black meteorite components.
Click below to read a PDF file about the finding of meteoritic
components in Libyan Desert Glass:
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/metsoc2000/pdf/5253.pdf
All of
the pieces for sale here are among the best quality possible, hand
selected by myself, for their clarity, shape, and scientific importance.
All specimens have two photos, one backlit by the sun, the second just
in sunlight.
