Click on a letter above to view the list of gems.    

Indochinite (Tektite)
Current inventory:  0 gems
 

Chemistry:  SiO₂ (75% Silica + Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ti)

Discovery: unknown;   IMA status: Not Valid
Indochinite is named after the region of occurrence; the former French colonies of Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia) but also found in Thailand and southern China.

Classification

Mineral Classification:

Mineraloids

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

n/a

Nickel-Strunz 10th Ed. ID:

n/a

Crystal Data

Crystallography:

Amorphous (natural glass)

Crystal Habit:

n/a

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

None

Fracture:

Conchoidal, Sub-conchoidal

Tenacity:

Brittle

Moh's Hardness:

5.5 - 6.5

Density:

2.21 - 2.96 (g/cm³)

Radioactivity:

Not Radioactive

Optical Properties

Color:

Dark Brown, Black

Transparency:

Translucent to Opaque

Luster:

Vitreous

Refractive Index:

1.46 - 1.54  Isotropic

Birefringence:

0.00 (Isotropic)

Dispersion:

n/a

Pleochroism:

n/a

Occurances

Geological Setting:

Meteor impact zones

Type Locality:

The former French colonies of Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia) but also found in Thailand and southern China

Year Discovered:

n/a

View mineral photos:

Indochinite Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org  (Indochinite)
Mindat.org  (Tektite)

Indochinite is named after the region of occurrence; the former French colonies of Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia) but also found in Thailand and southern China.  These Tektites are usually dark brown to black natural glass.

Indochinites are similar to other Tektites such as Libyan Desert Glass and Moldavite. Tektites may be Meteoric Silica Glass as a result of the impact of a meteor on Earth. Tektites are usually found in association with meteor impact craters or suspected ancient craters. Their origin is not fully understood. The leading theory, the "Meteorite Impact Theory", is that when a meteorite hits the Earth, the heat and pressure of the impact are so great that it causes rock and sand to be fused into glass or Tektites. Tektites, like all natural glasses, contain gas bubbles and "swirl" like inclusions.
 

  
Indochinite gems for sale:

We have not photographed our Indochinite gems yet.  Please check back soon!