meteorite

Iron-rich meteorite fragment (probable)

Unclassified meteoritic iron–nickel or stony-iron fragment

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Dark brown to black, irregular fractured surfaces with rusty oxidation; likely metallic or weakly metallic luster and unusually high density. If metallic, hardness is approximately 4–5.5 Mohs; a strong magnet attraction and nickel detection would support identification.

Identified August 14, 2026More meteorite →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely extraterrestrial material formed in a differentiated asteroid and later liberated by impact; terrestrial weathering produces the brown rust coating. Exact meteorite age would generally be about 4.56 billion years, but the image alone cannot establish authenticity.

Uses & applications

Primarily used for scientific study and collecting; attractive polished slices may be sold as display specimens or jewelry. Construction use is negligible.

Geological facts

The appearance is compatible with weathered meteorite material but can closely mimic terrestrial iron ore, slag, or rusty metal. A fusion crust, regmaglypts, internal metal flakes, and a non-streaking surface are useful clues.

Field identification & locations

Common meteorite localities include deserts and Antarctica; suspected finds should be tested by magnetism, streak, density, and nickel assay, ideally by a university or meteorite laboratory. Do not rely on appearance alone.