{"product_id":"australite-button-03g-kalgoorlie-western-australia-au084","title":"Australite \"Button\" 0.3g - Kalgoorlie, Western Australia - AU084","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 0.3g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: 0.7 x 0.7 x 0.4 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDETAILED DESCRIPTION\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eAustralites – a natural phenomenon of extraordinary origin\nAustralites formed approximately 790,000 years ago during a massive meteorite impact in what is now Southeast Asia. Molten material was ejected thousands of kilometres to Australia, where it briefly left the Earth's atmosphere. Upon re-entry, it underwent a rare secondary re-melting, cooled in mid-air, and fell to the ground — forming aerodynamically shaped pieces known as \"australite buttons\".\n1. Unique shape and appearance\nTheir initial velocity was higher than that of other tektites, allowing them to ascend just beyond the atmosphere. Upon re-entry, they were subjected to a rare ablative melting process. Under aerodynamic stress, molten material accumulated along the edges of the tektite, forming the distinctive ablative flange — clear evidence of formation during flight. This is known as the ablative phenomenon. Australite buttons are typically disc-shaped, lens-shaped, mushroom-shaped, or saucer-shaped, and are considered the most aesthetic and perfectly formed natural glasses in the world. Other tektites (e.g., moldavites) do not occur in this shape or quality.\n2. A single worldwide location\nThese tektites are found exclusively in central and southern Australia — such shaped specimens do not exist anywhere else on Earth. Although the strewn field is wide, collector-quality buttons are very rare.\n3. Limited and diminishing resource\nThe richest sites (e.g., the Nullarbor Plain) have been mostly exhausted during the 20th century. Today, finding new specimens is increasingly difficult, and collection is regulated or prohibited in many areas. Heavy fines are imposed for illegal collection or export. Commercial-scale collection can even result in imprisonment.\n4. Excellent investment potential\nPrices for well-preserved specimens continue to rise — especially for symmetrical buttons with flanges. Like moldavites, australites have collector and investment value, but they are much rarer. Unlike moldavites, which are well-known in Europe, australites are less common, adding significant value to collections. Only a few complete buttons are sold per year, and collectors often compete fiercely — many never reach Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58027922030917,"sku":"AU084","price":54.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/53189_photoroom-003-20250801-102655.jpg?v=1779378271","url":"https:\/\/moldavite.it\/en\/products\/australite-button-03g-kalgoorlie-western-australia-au084","provider":"Moldavite.it","version":"1.0","type":"link"}