What is the strongest glass that can be formed from nature?

tl;dr What is the strongest glass that can be concocted from a single reasonably abundant, natural source? (Without nuclear or quantum manufacturing)

So I am developing a character for a story. He has powers that are very similar to alchemy in Full Metal Alchemist and in FMA they have the Law of Equivalent Exchange which states:

Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost.

So basically he uses magic to make a thing from other things. On the atomic level (let's not be cute and bring quantum mechanics into this. He transforms elements.)

Also, he can't guarantee a crystalline shape due to failing geometry and geology (no diamond cuteness). His life is a mess but he does not apologize. Failing chemistry is why he can't just whip up an explodey or a chemical weapon.

But that's all fine with him. He can just make hard stabby things appear from the nature, preying on the fear that living things have of being stabbed. So basically he is creating glass (this includes metallic glass).

So my question: what is the strongest glass he can make strictly from commonly occurring natural surroundings?

Key points I will use to judge an answer:

• It shouldn't be crystalline. I am looking for a glass, e.g. a non-crystalline amorphous solid
• It doesn't require anything man made. Pretend the world is a wonderland untouched by man.
• It doesn't require anything living. PETA, TreeTA, and PeoTA really screwed up this guy's life. He doesn't need another lawsuit. Dead is fine though.
• It doesn't require carbon. This is a bonus, but I like it because some people don't count trees and bacteria and mollusks as people. But a lawsuit from BacteTA sealed that deal.
• It's transparent. This is also a bonus, but if a person makes a shield, it helps if they can see through it.
• It is fine if any carbon or living organism get caught up in the creation, they just can't be ingredients in the creation.

posted almost 6 years ago

Jake‭

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