Natural Glass (family)
Naturally formed amorphous glass materials such as obsidian; not a mineral species.
What this family is
Nature formed these materials but never crystallised them: obsidian is volcanic glass and must not be labelled an obsidian mineral, and tektite is natural impact glass. Moldavite is the tektite of one specific region rather than a general synonym. Snowflake, golden sheen, silver sheen and rainbow are pattern or sheen names on that same glass, and manufactured glass is a separate family.
Scope of this family
Naturally formed amorphous glass materials such as obsidian; not a mineral species.
Member entries (7)
Where members are recorded
Some member entries record the localities where their materials are found; Recorded localities shows them on a sketch map and lists them by continent.
Names
- 简体中文
- 天然玻璃
- 繁體中文
- 天然玻璃
- English
- Natural glass
- 日本語
- 天然ガラス
Authority source
- Authority source
- Review status
- Reviewed against CIBJO, GB/T and IMA boundaries.
Shared classification
All 7 members share these values:
- Origin class
- Natural materials
- Material domain
- Natural inorganic gem materials
- Identity level
- Natural glass
- Mineral chemical class
- Not applicable
- Construction or treatment status
- Natural identity; treatment status unknown