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.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Iron Meteorite leaves a metallic gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Iron Meteorite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: metallic gray, brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitTypical habit: massive, irregular, often showing regmaglypts or fusion crusts.
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 — Iron Meteorite leaves metallic gray, Magnetite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Iron Meteorite leaves metallic gray, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads metallic on Iron Meteorite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
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
- Colors
- Streak
- Metallic Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Irregular, Often Showing Regmaglypts or Fusion Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Extraterrestrial Origin
- Typical price
- $50-500 for small fragments, $1000+ for large specimens or etched slices
Where rockhounds find iron meteorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Campo del Cielo, Argentina
- Muonionalusta, Sweden
- Gibeon, Namibia
- Sikhote-Alin, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in extraterrestrial origin country — that is the host setting where iron meteorite typically forms. If you start seeing olivine, troilite, kamacite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, irregular, often showing regmaglypts or fusion crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find iron meteorite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
