Libyan Desert Glass: Libyan Desert Glass is a material that is thought to have formed during a meteorite impact in the Libyan desert about 26 million years ago, near what is now the border between Egypt and Libya. One theory has the meteorite exploding in an air burst that flash-melted sand and other material on Earth’s surface below. Many pieces of glass have shallow surface indentations, similar to the regmaglypts of meteorites, that suggest ablation as the glass moved rapidly through Earth’s atmosphere. Like moldavite, desert glass is considered to be an impactite.

Rare pieces of gem-quality glass are sometimes cut into faceted stones or cabochons. Uncut pieces with an attractive shape and color are often wire-wrapped or drilled for use in making jewelry. Representative specimens are also sought by meteorite and mineral collectors. Like moldavite, desert glass is a soft and brittle material that is best used in earrings, pendants, and other jewelry that will not be subjected to abrasion.