Atacamaite - Impactite/Tektoid - Complete Individual - 0.82g - Chile (Atacama)
- Regular
- $27.00
- Sale
- $27.00
- Regular
- $41.00
Sold Out
- Unit Price
- per
Shipping calculated at checkout.
SKU
ATA-05/01.003
Atacamaites are rare glassy impactites from the Atacama Desert of Chile, often described as tektite-like or ‘tektoid’ materials. They are associated with an impact glass strewn field in the Central Depression of the Atacama Desert, where high-temperature melting of local rocks produced small splash-form natural glasses. Unlike true Tektites, Atacamaites are thought to have formed closer to the impact site, giving them a more proximal and localised formation context.
Specimens of Atacamaite glass are typically dark, often black to very dark brown, with irregular splash-form shapes. Many pieces show flow textures, pitting, twisting, or vesicular features created as molten material cooled rapidly. Published research describes them as dacitic glass, formed from local magmatic rocks with evidence for meteoritic contribution, making them distinct from both volcanic glass and classic distal Tektites.
For collectors, Atacamaites offer a specialised category within impact-related materials, sitting between traditional Tektites and other natural impact glasses. Their limited occurrence, unusual formation context, and distinctive texture make them especially appealing for focused Tektite, impactite, and meteorite-related collections. Each specimen represents a rare piece of Atacama impact glass, preserving evidence of high-energy melting and rapid cooling on Earth’s surface.