Aletai Meteorite Slice – Genuine Iron Nickel Space Rock from Altai City, Mongolia, 99g

Authentic Aletai Meteorite Slice – 99g Genuine Space Rock from Aletai County

This beautiful Aletai Meteorite Slice is a genuine iron-nickel meteorite originating from Aletai County, Xinjiang, China. Weighing 99 grams, this specimen is a solid piece of cosmic history, representing one of the most fascinating iron meteorite falls ever discovered. Formed over 4.5 billion years ago in the early solar system, this meteorite embodies the metallic core of an ancient asteroid that was shattered and sent hurtling through space before landing on Earth.

Every specimen we offer is 100% genuine and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. The photograph shows the exact meteorite slice you will receive, displayed beside a 1 cm scale cube for accurate size reference. Please see the photo for full sizing details.

Classification and Composition

The Aletai Meteorite is classified as an Iron Meteorite, IIIE (Group IIIE) and is closely related to the Armanty and Huizhong meteorites, forming part of a larger strewn field across the region. This classification identifies it as a coarse octahedrite, meaning it exhibits the classic Widmanstätten pattern—a distinctive crystalline intergrowth of kamacite and taenite formed through extremely slow cooling within a differentiated parent body’s metallic core.

The Aletai meteorite’s composition is primarily iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni), with trace elements including cobalt (Co), phosphorus (P), and sulphur (S). The nickel content typically ranges between 7–10%, giving the slice a lustrous metallic sheen when polished or etched. Microscopic inclusions of schreibersite ((Fe,Ni)₃P), troilite (FeS), and graphite may also be present, each recording conditions of crystallisation in the heart of a once-molten planetary core.

Discovery and Provenance

The Aletai meteorite was first officially recorded in 2011 in Aletai County, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, though local discoveries suggest several large masses had been known to residents for generations. The strewn field extends across the Altay Mountains region, an area known for its harsh desert environment and low weathering rates—ideal for preserving metallic meteorites.

Aletai specimens are renowned for their excellent preservation, high density, and clear internal structures, often displaying the finest Widmanstätten patterns when sliced and polished. This 99g specimen has been expertly cut and finished to reveal the internal crystalline lattice in its full splendour—a cross-section through an extraterrestrial alloy forged in the vacuum of space.

Geological and Scientific Significance

Iron meteorites like Aletai offer unparalleled insight into the formation and evolution of planetary bodies. They originate from the metallic cores of differentiated asteroids, where molten metal slowly crystallised under immense pressure before catastrophic impacts shattered the parent body. These fragments travelled through space for eons before landing on Earth, making them direct samples of the solar system’s earliest materials.

The Widmanstätten pattern visible in this meteorite is a hallmark feature of iron meteorites, impossible to replicate artificially. It forms only through cooling rates of a few degrees per million years, providing direct evidence of processes that occurred deep within primordial asteroids. The Aletai Meteorite, as part of the IIIE group, exhibits some of the most pronounced and aesthetically striking examples of this natural structure.

Visual Characteristics

This 99g Aletai slice displays a clean, polished surface with metallic luster, intersected by the geometric lines of its crystalline Widmanstätten pattern. When viewed under light, the interlocking lamellae of kamacite and taenite shimmer with subtle contrast, a visual record of cosmic metallurgy billions of years in the making. The edges reveal the natural surface texture of the original meteorite mass, offering an appealing combination of rough and refined features.

This balance of scientific authenticity and natural beauty makes the specimen ideal for collectors, educators, and display enthusiasts alike.

Authenticity and Presentation

All of our meteorites are 100% genuine specimens and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity verifying provenance and classification. The image shows the exact Aletai Meteorite Slice (99g) you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube for size reference—please refer to the photo for full sizing details.

An extraordinary iron-nickel meteorite from Aletai County, Xinjiang, this specimen represents one of Earth’s most remarkable connections to the cosmos—a real piece of an ancient asteroid, preserved in time and ready to be part of your collection.