Stone meteorite, chondrite, unclassified. Northwest Africa, found circa 1999. Half stone with polished face and abundant chondrules. Weighing 607.5 grams and measuring 112 mm x 89 mm x 38 mm. Official numbers and names are assigned only to meteorites that have gone through the complex and time-consuming process of classification by an accredited laboratory. There are only a small number of labs in the world authorized to do this type of specialized work. As resources are limited, finders/owners sometimes elect not to go through the classification process and, instead, assign an unofficial designation, like “NWA XXX” to a particular meteorite. Such is the case with this attractive half stone of 607.5 grams. The exterior shows patches of black fusion crust, while the interior is rich in colorful chondrules of widely varying size and color.
Found in the Sahara Desert circa 1999, likely by nomads, and expertly cut and polished by accomplished preparatory artist and meteorite expert, Allan Lang, there is absolutely no doubt that this is an authentic space rock. Further, the handsome polished face displays a wealth of multi-colored, multi-billion-year-old chondrules of widely varying size and colors (which might warrant an L3 or L4 classification, were it to be undertaken), telling us it belongs to the chondrite class. Notice also, the presence of xenolithic clasts—areas of chondrules that appear different in size, color, and density to the others. This intriguing phenomenon suggests that chondritic material from another source was forcibly combined with the original matrix, perhaps by the bombardment of other meteorites, or by asteroidal collision in the distant past. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Aerolite Meteorites.
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