Libyan Desert Glass
Beautifully coloured items are always great in a rock, minerals or meteorite collection, so our range of Libyan desert glass is the perfect place to find your new favourite piece. At Fossils UK, all of our Libyan desert glass impactites are ethically sourced and hand-selected directly from finders, collectors and dig sites, so you can rest assured that you’re shopping for the real thing. These rare items from the eastern Sahara bring an allure of light and opulence that collectors find hard to ignore, so get ahead of the pack today! Browse more in our full tektites and impactites range.
Libyan desert glass has fascinated researchers, scientists, collectors and more for years due to its beautiful appearance and uncertain history. The initial formation of Libyan desert glass is believed to have occurred approximately 29 million years ago, but how it originated is still up for debate. Recent research links the glass to impact features and craters, while some geologists suggest it aligns with radiative melting from large meteoritic bursts. Sample analysis has revealed that rare zircon crystal structures created by melting reidite are present. Reidite has only ever been found at meteorite impact sites, providing the strongest evidence that Libyan desert glass is indeed an impactite.
How to tell if Libyan desert glass is real
When browsing rare impactites such as Libyan desert glass online, it can be hard to differentiate the true sellers and collectors from the counterfeit rocks. Developing a keen eye can be the difference between receiving a beautiful item of real natural history and a cheap rock polished for advertising. Libyan desert glass has a distinctive honey-yellow tone that isn’t too bright and is dotted with imperfections. If a site claims to sell Libyan desert glass and all products look pristine and bright yellow, they’re likely fakes. Choose Fossils UK for authentic and honest meteorites, tektites and impactites.