The first tektites were found in 1787 in the Moldau River in Czechosolvakia, hence their original name of “moldavites”. Other colour varieties of this natural glass have since been found in many different localities. Tektites are usually translucent, and occur in a range of colors from green to brown. Their surfaces are usually uneven or rough, with a distinctive lumpy, jagged, or scarred texture. Tektites do not contain the crystallites found in obsidian. They may, however, have characteristic inclusions of round or torpedo-shaped bubbles or treacle-like swirls.

The Moladu River in Czechoslovakia is now the only real known locality for green, transparent tektite. Tektites from Thailand have been carved as small, decorative objects, worn in the belief that they give protection from evil.

Several ideas have been put forward to explain the mysterious origin of tektites. One theory is that they came to Earth from outer space, melting as they passed through the atmosphere and thus forming their characteristic shape and surface texture.

A second theory is that the impact of a large meteorite caused the surrounding rocks to melt and scatter, with cracks and scars then appearing as they cooled.

1.	Chemical Composition	Upto 75% silica, 10% alumina, with trace elements. Low water content (much lower than obsidian).
2.	Colors / Varieties	Bottle green, greenish brown, brown / Basically Tektites.
3.	Hardness	5.5
4.	Specific Gravity	2.30 - 2.40
5.	Optic Character	Isotropic, S.R., A.D.R. (S.R.)
6.	Refractive Index / Birefringence	1.49 - 1.51
7.	Magnification	Gas bubbles, swirl marks which are thick, very different from pastes. Total lack of crystallites.
8.	Geological Occurrence	Meteoritic zones.
9.	Sources	Bohemia, Czech Republic, Peru, Ivory Coast of Africa, Australia, Malay Archipelago.