meteorite

Iron Meteorite

Siderite (Iron-Nickel alloy)

Hardness: 4-5 (Mohs), metallic luster (if cut), dark fusion crust or oxidized brown exterior, regmaglypts (thumb-print indentations), high specific gravity (very heavy), magnetic.

Identified July 1, 2026More meteorite →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 4-5 (Mohs), metallic luster (if cut), dark fusion crust or oxidized brown exterior, regmaglypts (thumb-print indentations), high specific gravity (very heavy), magnetic.

Formation & geological history

Core remnant of a differentiated asteroid from the early solar system, roughly 4.5 billion years old. It survived atmospheric entry where friction created the melted surface texture.

Uses & applications

Predominantly scientific study and private collecting. High-grade specimens are used to make jewelry (cross-sections showing Widmanstatten patterns).

Geological facts

This specimen shows clear regmaglypts, which are indentations formed by ablation as the rock melted through the atmosphere. The regional coordinates (Visakhapatnam, India) are not known for a major specific iron fall, though individual finds are possible anywhere.

Field identification & locations

Identify by checking for magnetism, high density, and a metallic interior. If found in the field, use a nickel-testing kit for confirmation. Visakhapatnam region geologically features khondalites and charnockites; a meteorite would be a distinct 'extra-terrestrial' find.