The facts
What libyan Desert Glass actually is
The species behind libyan Desert Glass is impact glass, SiO₂ ~98%; it forms in the amorphous system.
Pale yellow from trace iron in an almost pure silica glass is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.46 and a specific gravity of about 2.20, with none (conchoidal fracture) cleavage.
Where libyan Desert Glass comes from
Commercial material comes from Great Sand Sea, Western Desert, Egypt (Egypt–Libya border).
That is the whole list. A single source makes supply fragile and makes any claim of a second origin worth questioning.
How libyan Desert Glass is treated
Untreated. Its near-pure silica composition gives a distinctly low RI and SG that separate it from all other natural glasses. Export from Egypt is restricted and much of the stock in circulation is old material.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What libyan Desert Glass is confused with
Watch for Man-made silica glass, Citrine, Yellow tektite and Amber — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.46 and specific gravity 2.20 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What libyan Desert Glass is used for
The trades that buy libyan Desert Glass are jewellery, mineral collecting and decorative objects. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat, by the specimen or by the piece.
Durability and care
Libyan Desert Glass is 6 on the Mohs scale, with none (conchoidal fracture) cleavage.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What libyan Desert Glass costs
Expect roughly $1–15/g, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is libyan Desert Glass treated, and how?
Untreated. Its near-pure silica composition gives a distinctly low RI and SG that separate it from all other natural glasses. Export from Egypt is restricted and much of the stock in circulation is old material.
Where does libyan Desert Glass come from?
Great Sand Sea, Western Desert, Egypt (Egypt–Libya border). That is the only commercial source.
Is libyan Desert Glass hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 6 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does libyan Desert Glass cost?
Indicatively $1–15/g. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is libyan Desert Glass confused with?
Most often Man-made silica glass, Citrine, Yellow tektite and Amber. A refractive index of 1.46 and a specific gravity near 2.20 separate it quickly.
What is libyan Desert Glass used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting and decorative objects. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for libyan desert glass?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about libyan desert glass