Libyan Desert Glass

Among the treasures discovered in the tomb of Egyptian King Tutankhamun was an ornate breastplate adorned with gemstones. The centerpiece of the artifact is a large scarab carved out of a luminous yellow stone, now known as Libyan Desert Glass.

The glass was the result of a meteorite impact that occurred nearly 29 million years before King Tut died. The impact in the Libyan Desert, located in the northeast region of the Sahara Desert, would have created a large crater, ejected debris for miles, and sent shockwaves through the ground. The intense heat and pressure were hot enough to melt the surrounding quartz sand at around 3,000 °F, creating this natural glass that scattered for miles.

Includes a 1—2 g specimen in an acrylic capsule.

Photos are representative of typical specimens. Some natural variation in size/shape should be expected.