Bilitonite "Batu Satam" 9g – Belitung, Indonesia
Locality: Belitung, Indonesia
Weight: 9g
Dimensions: 4,8 x 1,3 x 1,2 cm
| Category: | Bilitonite |
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Biliotinite – tektite from Belitung Island
Biliotinite, also known as Batu Satam, is a rare tektite originating from the Indonesian island of Belitung. This island lies between Java and Sumatra and is known primarily for its tin mining but also for the discovery of these unique black stones.
Origin and formation
Batu Satam formed approximately 790,000 years ago, following the impact of a large meteorite. The immense energy of this event melted surface rocks, and part of the molten material was ejected high into the atmosphere. Upon returning, the material solidified and fell back to the area of today’s Indonesia, where it was later found on Belitung Island. Unlike the meteorite itself, which usually evaporates during impact, tektites are formed from terrestrial material that was melted and transformed into natural glass.
Appearance and composition
Batu Satam typically has a black to dark brown color and a matte, pitted surface. In nature, it occurs in various shapes – from irregular fragments to rounded or droplet-like pieces. Its composition consists mainly of silicon dioxide with traces of aluminum, iron, and other minor elements.
Name and meaning
The name “Batu Satam” comes from Malay and translates as “broken stone” or “molten stone”, which perfectly describes both its appearance and its origin.