Chondrite Meteorite

Hardness: 4.5–5.5 (variable); Color: Dark brown to black fusion crust, grayish interior; Luster: Dull to sub-metallic; Crystal Structure: Granular/Chondritic; Specific Gravity: 3.0–3.8

Formed from solar nebula dust and grains roughly 4.5 billion years ago. These are remnants of the early solar system that survived atmospheric entry through ablative heating.

Scientific research into the early solar system, private collection, and occasionally used in specialty jewellery or watch faces.

Chondrites contain 'chondrules', which are small, round droplets of once-molten material that formed in space before being accreted into asteroids. They are among the oldest materials found on Earth.

Identify by a dark, thin fusion crust, slight magnetism (due to iron-nickel content), and high density compared to terrestrial rocks. The location 17.7°N, 83.3°E (Visakhapatnam, India) is a coastal area where magnetite or iron-rich industrial slag could also be found; professional testing is required to confirm extraterrestrial origin.