The following questions are ones that we get asked most frequently, online and at tradeshows.
These tektite and impactite-specific FAQs are divided into five broad headings;
Click on each question to open a separate tab with the answer. You can return to this tab at any point.
What is the difference between tetites, and other types of impactites?
What are the different types of tektites and impactites?
How do you know it is a tektite and not terrestial glass like obsidian?
What are common examples of misidentified tektites?
What is a pseudo-tektite, and how is it different from an actual tektite?
What is the difference between a meteorite and a tektite?
How do they test tektites to make sure they are actually tektites and not something else?
Are there any tektites from outside the Earth's atmosphere?
Have tektites and/or impactites been found on other planetary bodies?
How do you find tektites and where?
How many different types of tektites are there and what as some examples?
What is a tektite strewnfield?
What causes the shapes & surface textures of tektites, especially Moldavite?
What shapes and forms do tektites occur in?
Is every tektite associated with a known crater?
Do tektites contain iron and are they magnetic?
Do tektites ever contain other minerals, inclusions, or fossils?
What is the difference between tektites, and other types of impactites?
How do you know it is a tektite and not terrestrial glass like obsidian?
What are the main features to look for when identifying a tektite?
What are common examples of misidentified tektites?
How do they test tektites to make sure they are actually tektites and not something else?
What shapes and forms do tektites occur in?
Do tektites contain iron and are they magnetic?
Do tektites ever contain other minerals, inclusions, or fossils?
Where can I get my rock checked out to see if it is a tektite?
What types of tektites & impactites are there?
How many different tektites are there and where are they listed?
How are tektites & impactites grouped and what groups are there?
Are tektites and impactites 'classified' in the same way as meteorites are?
How many different tektites have been officially identified?
What are the most common tektites?
What are the most common shapes and forms of tektites?
What do you call the science that studies impactites like tektites?
How do you become an expert in tektites?
What are the main tests for tektite identification?
What tests do specialist laboratories do when identifying tektites?
Where can I see good collections of tektites?
What are the rarest tektites or impactites?
What are the main things that determine the value of a tektite?
