Description
Authentic L4/5 Common Chondrite Meteorite – Genuine Space Rock from North Africa
This exceptional L4/5 Common Chondrite Meteorite is a genuine fragment of an ancient space rock that journeyed across the solar system before its fiery arrival on Earth. Originating from the North African desert region, this meteorite represents material from the early solar nebula—dating back over 4.5 billion years, making it older than any rock on our planet. It is a beautifully preserved stone meteorite (stony chondrite), displaying a dark fusion crust formed as it burned through Earth’s atmosphere, a signature feature prized by collectors.
Every piece is a 100% genuine specimen, carefully selected for quality and authenticity. It comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its extraterrestrial origin. The specimen pictured is the exact one you will receive, shown beside a 1 cm scale cube for accurate size reference. Please see the photo for full sizing details.
Classification and Structure
This meteorite is classified as an L4/5 Ordinary Chondrite—a transitional type between petrologic grades 4 and 5. “L” denotes Low Iron (Low total iron content), while the 4/5 classification reflects its intermediate metamorphic grade. This means it retains visible chondrules (small, rounded silicate spherules) while also showing partial recrystallization from heat and pressure inside its parent asteroid.
The L chondrite group originates from an asteroidal parent body that underwent significant collisional events early in solar system history. These impacts caused partial melting and metamorphism, creating the striking textural features visible under magnification—rounded chondrules, metallic flecks, and matrix blending that testify to its complex history in space.
Fusion Crust and Surface Features
One of the most visually stunning aspects of this specimen is its fusion crust, a thin, glossy to matte dark coating created during atmospheric entry. As the meteorite’s outer surface melted under extreme heat, it rapidly cooled upon landing, preserving the crust as evidence of its fiery descent. This characteristic is crucial for authentication and adds significant aesthetic and scientific value.
The interior, visible in any cut or broken surfaces, displays a mixture of olivine and pyroxene silicate grains, along with metallic nickel-iron inclusions and troilite (FeS) nodules. These minerals are remnants of the primordial dust and metal grains that coalesced in the early solar system—making this meteorite a literal fragment of planetary building blocks.
Scientific and Educational Importance
Common chondrites like this L4/5 specimen are among the most studied meteorites in planetary science. They offer a window into the formation of the solar system, representing material that has remained largely unaltered since its condensation from the solar nebula. The transitional metamorphic grade makes it particularly interesting to researchers, as it bridges the structural evolution between pristine chondritic textures and more recrystallized, metamorphosed forms.
This meteorite’s composition provides insight into the thermal metamorphism processes that occur within asteroid parent bodies—crucial for understanding the differentiation of planets and the geochemical evolution of the early solar system. Its stable mineralogy and metallic inclusions also make it ideal for educational collections, research displays, and private collectors seeking scientifically significant specimens.
Collector’s Piece and Provenance
Recovered from North Africa, this meteorite is part of a region renowned for yielding scientifically important and visually striking space rocks. The desert environment aids in preservation, with minimal weathering and oxidation, allowing collectors to acquire high-quality specimens that retain their original features.
Each specimen is carefully chosen and handled with expert care, ensuring that you receive an authentic, well-preserved meteorite showcasing the fusion crust, internal metallic structure, and chondritic textures typical of L4/5 Common Chondrites.
Authenticity and Presentation
All of our fossils and meteorites are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. The image provided shows the exact L4/5 Common Chondrite Meteorite you will receive. The scale cube = 1 cm, and full sizing is visible in the photo.
This is a true piece of cosmic history, an authentic space rock from North Africa, bridging the gap between science, geology, and the wonder of the universe itself.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.