Chondrite (Stony Meteorite)
Chondrite (Stony Meteorite) is meteorite (stony), (silicates + Fe-Ni metal flecks). In the hand, it rates 4 to 6 (varies) on the Mohs scale, and it runs matte black crust and gray-tan interior with silver metal flecks. Common chondrites are affordable per gram; witnessed falls cost more.
The geology.
Chondrite (Stony Meteorite) carries the formula (silicates + Fe-Ni metal flecks). It belongs to the, system. It is classified as meteorite (stony).
It sits at 4 to 6 (varies) on the Mohs scale. The surface reads dull interior; matte black fusion crust. Light behaviour is opaque. Specific gravity runs 3.0 to 3.7. The streak is gray-brown. It breaks with uneven fracture.
Dense stone with a thin matte-black fusion crust outside and, on a cut face, tiny round chondrules plus glittering metal flecks, and it tugs on a magnet.
You will most often meet it as whole stones with fusion crust, cut and polished slices or small fragments.
The origins.
Falls worldwide; commercial material from Sahara finds (NWA-numbered), Campo del Cielo region, and documented falls like Chelyabinsk.
On value, the database notes: common chondrites are affordable per gram; witnessed falls cost more.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, associated with cosmic perspective and connection to origins.
People buy on this language, so it belongs on the page. It belongs under the facts, though, not over them.
Spotting the real thing.
Dense stone with a thin matte-black fusion crust outside and, on a cut face, tiny round chondrules plus glittering metal flecks, and it tugs on a magnet.
Most 'meteorites' brought to experts are slag or magnetite, fusion crust, metal flecks, magnetism, and density together make the case; buy classified, documented stones.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Basalt ('meteor-wrong' #1) | Basalt has gas bubbles and no metal flecks; chondrites almost never have bubbles |
| Slag | Slag is bubbly, glassy, and often lighter |
| Hematite/magnetite lumps | They streak strongly (red-brown/black); chondrites streak weakly gray-brown |
At-home tests.
You can run every one of these at a kitchen table. Good light matters more than gear when you are looking at chondrite (stony meteorite).
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| Magnet check | Magnet sticks (metal content) |
| Window-grind a corner | bright metal flecks in stone |
| By eye | Round millimeter chondrules on cut faces |
| By eye | Heavy for its size; no vesicles |
Destructive tests belong to a gemologist, not a kitchen table. If a piece matters to you, pay for an appraisal before you take a file to it.
Care & handling.
At 4 to 6 (varies) on the Mohs scale this is a soft material. Keep it as a display piece, store it apart from harder stones, and skip daily-wear settings.
It breaks with uneven fracture, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Clean it by hand, dry it properly, and keep it away from ultrasonic cleaners and hot steam.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is (silicates + Fe-Ni metal flecks). Crystal system:,. Specific gravity: 3.0 to 3.7. Streak: Gray-brown. Cleavage and fracture: Uneven fracture.
How it reaches the market
Falls worldwide; commercial material from Sahara finds (NWA-numbered), Campo del Cielo region, and documented falls like Chelyabinsk.
What it gets confused with
Basalt ('meteor-wrong' #1): Basalt has gas bubbles and no metal flecks; chondrites almost never have bubbles. Slag: Slag is bubbly, glassy, and often lighter. Hematite/magnetite lumps: They streak strongly (red-brown/black); chondrites streak weakly gray-brown.
What it is worth
Common chondrites are affordable per gram; witnessed falls cost more.
Where buyers get caught
Most 'meteorites' brought to experts are slag or magnetite, fusion crust, metal flecks, magnetism, and density together make the case; buy classified, documented stones.
One more thing
Chondrules are flash-frozen droplets from the solar system's birth, 4.56 billion years old, older than Earth itself.
An education-first guide.
We do not stock chondrite (stony meteorite). Writing it up regardless is the point of a reference library.
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