NWA Sliced Meteorite Genuine Common Chondrite from Sahara Desert Authentic Space Rock – Real Meteorite Slice with COA

NWA Sliced Meteorite – Genuine Common Chondrite from Northwest Africa

This exquisite NWA Sliced Meteorite is an authentic Common Chondrite recovered from the Northwest Africa (NWA) meteorite fields, discovered in the vast expanse of the Sahara Desert. Expertly cut and polished, this slice reveals the incredible internal structure of a stony meteorite formed over 4.5 billion years ago, offering a direct glimpse into the earliest building blocks of our Solar System. The meteorite pictured is the exact specimen you will receive, photographed in natural light, and the scale cube equals 1cm for precise sizing.

Scientific Classification and Composition

The NWA Common Chondrite belongs to the Ordinary Chondrite (OC) class of stony meteorites — the most abundant group, representing nearly 87% of all meteorites found on Earth. Most specimens from this region are classified as L5–6 or H5–6, where:

• “L” and “H” denote Low and High metallic iron content, respectively, and

• “5–6” represents the petrologic type, referring to the degree of metamorphism undergone by the meteorite on its parent asteroid.

This indicates that the specimen has experienced moderate to high thermal metamorphism, partially recrystallising its structure while retaining chondrules and fine-grained silicate textures.

Typical mineral composition includes:

• Olivine [(Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄] – a magnesium-iron silicate mineral that gives the rock its distinctive greenish-grey tone.

• Orthopyroxene [(Mg,Fe)SiO₃] – another silicate mineral, visible as crystalline grains within the matrix.

• Troilite (FeS) – an iron sulfide mineral appearing as small metallic nodules.

• Nickel-Iron Alloy (Fe-Ni) – bright metallic inclusions that shimmer under light.

• Plagioclase Feldspar – formed during metamorphism, contributing to the light reflective areas within the polished surface.

The combination of these minerals creates the meteorite’s characteristic brecciated texture, revealing fragments of different lithologies bound together by impact processes in space.

Petrology, Shock Features, and Weathering

This meteorite displays the hallmarks of shock metamorphism, with subtle shock veins and recrystallised zones caused by asteroid collisions billions of years ago. The shock stage is typically around S3–S4, reflecting moderate deformation, while the weathering grade (W2–W4) indicates mild terrestrial alteration following its fall and burial in desert sands. Despite minor oxidation, the specimen maintains an exceptional internal structure with well-preserved silicate and metallic phases.

Under magnification, the polished surface reveals a stunning array of chondrules — spherical inclusions that formed as molten droplets in the early solar nebula. These chondrules, preserved in the meteorite’s fine-grained matrix, are among the oldest solid materials known, predating Earth itself by hundreds of millions of years.

Discovery and Provenance

The Northwest Africa (NWA) meteorite fields stretch across Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania, where countless scientifically significant meteorites have been recovered since the late 20th century. The region’s extreme aridity and stable geology make it one of the best-preserved natural archives of extraterrestrial material on Earth.

This specimen was discovered within the Sahara Desert, where its metallic composition helped preserve it from corrosion for thousands of years. Meteorites found in this region are verified through mineralogical and petrographic analysis, confirming their extraterrestrial origin and classification within the Ordinary Chondrite family.

Authenticity and Presentation

All of our meteorites are 100% genuine specimens and are supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing their provenance and classification. The meteorite shown is the exact piece you will receive, carefully selected for its clarity, chondritic structure, and aesthetic quality. The scale cube equals 1cm, and full sizing details can be seen in the accompanying photograph.

Each slice is meticulously prepared to reveal its internal features — the fusion of silicate crystals, nickel-iron metal, and ancient chondrules — making it both a scientific specimen and a captivating display piece.

A Rare Window into the Origins of the Solar System

Owning an NWA Sliced Common Chondrite Meteorite allows you to hold a fragment of the early Solar System — a remnant of the same material that gave rise to planets, moons, and asteroids. Every metallic fleck, crystalline grain, and chondrule within this stone tells a story that began billions of years ago.

Whether you are a collector, educator, or enthusiast of natural wonders, this meteorite slice represents a truly unique opportunity to own an authentic space rock with immense geological and cosmic significance. It is a timeless relic of creation, preserved through eons of cosmic history and presented here in its most beautiful form.