meteorite

Chondrite meteorite

Stony chondrite; commonly ordinary chondrite (H, L, or LL group), composed mainly of olivine and low-calcium pyroxene with Fe–Ni metal and troilite

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically dark gray to brown, granular, and weakly magnetic, with rounded millimeter-scale chondrules; Mohs hardness about 6–7, opaque to submetallic, no consistent cleavage, and specific gravity roughly 3.0–3.7.

Identified August 25, 2026More meteorite →

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At a glance

Common name: Chondrite meteorite
Scientific name: Stony chondrite; commonly ordinary chondrite (H, L, or LL group), composed mainly of olivine and low-calcium pyroxene with Fe–Ni metal and troilite
Category: meteorite
Identified: August 25, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $1–$10 per gram for common ordinary chondrite fragments; $20–$100+ per gram for authenticated, attractive, rare, or well-documented specimens.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Primitive undifferentiated material accreted in the early Solar System about 4.56 billion years ago; chondrules formed as molten droplets before incorporation into asteroids, and some specimens experienced later thermal alteration.

Uses & applications

Used for scientific research, museum displays, and meteorite collecting; attractive slices may be sold as educational or decorative specimens rather than jewelry.

Geological facts

Chondrites are among the oldest accessible Solar System materials and preserve presolar grains and early planetary chemistry. The label’s “4.5 billion years old” refers approximately to Solar System formation age.

Field identification & locations

Identify by visible chondrules, a dark fusion crust, metallic flecks, and attraction to a strong magnet; confirmatory testing requires petrography or laboratory elemental analysis. Common sources include Antarctica, Northwest Africa, Oman, and desert strewn fields.