Trinitite (11.87 grams) - Trinity site, White Sands Missile Range, Socorro County, New Mexico, USA - July 16, 1945 at 5:29am MWT

Trinitite, also known as "atomic glass," is a unique type of glassy material formed as a byproduct of the first atomic bomb test, the Trinity Test, conducted on July 16, 1945, in the New Mexico desert. When the bomb detonated, the immense heat and pressure vaporized the sand at ground zero, which then condensed and solidified into a greenish, glass-like substance. Trinitite is composed primarily of fused quartz and feldspar, along with traces of isotopes such as uranium and plutonium, remnants of the nuclear explosion. Its formation represents the merging of natural geological materials with the unprecedented energy of a man-made nuclear event, making it a striking symbol of the atomic age.

Today, trinitite holds historical, scientific, and even collectible value. Its study provides insights into the effects of nuclear explosions on the environment, including the transformation of natural materials under extreme conditions. Collectors and historians regard it as a tangible relic of a pivotal moment in history, though its collection and sale have become limited due to regulatory concerns. Despite its origins in destruction, trinitite has become a source of fascination, embodying both the scientific advancements and ethical dilemmas that arose during the dawn of the nuclear era.

*As this specimen came from a different source than my regular Trinitite material, it will not come with the signed paperwork from Bower's, but rather a copy of the gamma spectroscopy readout for the specimen.*

Specimen Weight: 11.87 grams

Approx. Specimen Size: 45mm x 40mm x 15mm