Iron meteorites are dense, metallic extraterrestrial objects composed primarily of iron-nickel alloys. Collectors look for unique surface features like regmaglypts (thumbprint-like depressions) and the internal Widmanstätten pattern revealed when a slice is etched with acid.
Is this iron meteorite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch iron meteorite with a known reference. Iron Meteorite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Pick out the mineralsComposition: Mostly the iron-nickel alloys kamacite and taenite (iron, nickel and cobalt over 95 percent), with minor troilite, graphite, schreibersite and cohenite. Identify the two or three most abundant grains.
- 3Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: none, or a weak grayish streak if pressed hard.
- 4Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 5Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: metallic gray, brown, black.
Often confused with
Iron Meteorite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Iron Meteorite leaves none, or a weak grayish streak if pressed hard, Magnetite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Iron Meteorite leaves none, or a weak grayish streak if pressed hard, Hematite leaves cherry-red or reddish brown.
Often found alongside iron meteorite
Minerals reported to co-occur with iron meteorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 7.0-8.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- None, or a weak grayish streak if pressed hard
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research, Lapidary
- Host rock
- extraterrestrial origin
- Composition
- Mostly the iron-nickel alloys kamacite and taenite (iron, nickel and cobalt over 95 percent), with minor troilite, graphite, schreibersite and cohenite
Where rockhounds find iron meteorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Campo del Cielo, Argentina
- Muonionalusta, Sweden
- Gibeon, Namibia
- Sikhote-Alin, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: extraterrestrial origin. If you start seeing olivine, troilite, kamacite in float, you are in the right ground.
Common questions
How do you identify iron meteorite?+
Where is iron meteorite found?+
What rocks look like iron meteorite?+
What minerals are found with iron meteorite?+
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Find iron meteorite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
