Quasicrystals (QCs) are unique materials, whose crystallographic identity has been controversial for many years. Using recent advances in shock synthesis, Hu et al. [(2020), IUCrJ, 7, 434-444] reproduce for the first time the formation conditions of the icosahedral Al62Cu31Fe7 QC (i-phase II) found in the Khatyrka meteorite. The authors demonstrate that shock-recovery experiments provide a novel strategy for preparing and exploring QCs.