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Gemstones, Minerals & Fossils
Meteorites
hematite, magnetite iron rock or meteorite?
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<blockquote data-quote="starfield7" data-source="post: 81979" data-attributes="member: 3209"><p>This looks like a very good candidate for a meteorite, although a detailed photo of the cut edge may provide better clues.</p><p></p><p>Fresh meteorites will have a black outer crust. This one looks like to have a highly weathered crust, but you would expect this in an environment like Sofala. I have a meteorite from China that looks very similar to this one, although your outer surface is a bit rough for a meteorite.</p><p></p><p>It also has at least one rounded edge, and what could be a large regmaglypt (thumb print) on one side.</p><p></p><p>99% of meteorites are attracted to a magnet, but some earth rocks are as well.</p><p></p><p>If you have been prospecting in the area for a while and this is the first rock like this you have found, it's unlikely to be native to the area, so again, a good candidate for a meteorite. A wider search may find other pieces though.</p><p></p><p>The only way to tell is to send it to an expert for identification and classification. I recommend Prof Phil Bland from the Desert Fireball Network at Curtin University in Perth. They will only need a small sample for testing, but they may request to retain that sample (or a smaller portion of it) as payment for their testing services.</p><p></p><p>If you google Phil's name & Curtin together you'll find his phone number and address. He's overseas at the moment, but should be back in the country at the end of next week.</p><p></p><p>Regard</p><p>David</p><p>Twitter: @clearskiestv</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="starfield7, post: 81979, member: 3209"] This looks like a very good candidate for a meteorite, although a detailed photo of the cut edge may provide better clues. Fresh meteorites will have a black outer crust. This one looks like to have a highly weathered crust, but you would expect this in an environment like Sofala. I have a meteorite from China that looks very similar to this one, although your outer surface is a bit rough for a meteorite. It also has at least one rounded edge, and what could be a large regmaglypt (thumb print) on one side. 99% of meteorites are attracted to a magnet, but some earth rocks are as well. If you have been prospecting in the area for a while and this is the first rock like this you have found, it's unlikely to be native to the area, so again, a good candidate for a meteorite. A wider search may find other pieces though. The only way to tell is to send it to an expert for identification and classification. I recommend Prof Phil Bland from the Desert Fireball Network at Curtin University in Perth. They will only need a small sample for testing, but they may request to retain that sample (or a smaller portion of it) as payment for their testing services. If you google Phil's name & Curtin together you'll find his phone number and address. He's overseas at the moment, but should be back in the country at the end of next week. Regard David Twitter: @clearskiestv [/QUOTE]
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Gemstones, Minerals & Fossils
Meteorites
hematite, magnetite iron rock or meteorite?
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