• Location: Atacama desert, Chile
• Weight: 0.5g
• Dimensions: 14 x 6 x 4 mm
• DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Atacamaites – rare tektites from Chile Atacamaites are rare tektites found in the Atacama Desert in Chile, known as one of the driest places on Earth. These tektites are natural glass formations that formed during large meteor impacts. Theories about their formation suggest that the immense energy released during the collision melted surface rocks and ejected them into the atmosphere, where they solidified and fell back to Earth. Origin and appearance The impact crater potentially linked to their origin has not yet been clearly identified—a common characteristic of some tektites formed far from the impact site. Atacamaites typically have a dark glassy appearance, ranging from black to deep green hues, and their surfaces are often smooth or slightly sculpted. Rarity and collectible value Unlike more common tektites, such as moldavites from the Czech Republic or australites, atacamaites are very rare and less well-known. For this reason, they have become highly sought-after collectible specimens among mineral and natural glass enthusiasts.