Meteorites are extraterrestrial materials that have survived the descent through the Earth's atmosphere. Collectors look for a dark fusion crust, regmaglypts (thumbprint-like depressions), and high density indicating iron-nickel content compared to terrestrial rocks.
Is this meteorites?
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 meteorites with a known reference. Meteorites sits at Mohs 5-8 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Meteorites leaves a variable streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Meteorites typically shows a metallic to dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brown, gray, silver, metallic.
- 5Look at form & habitTypical habit: irregular masses, fusion crust, regmaglypts.
Often confused with
Meteorites vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Meteorites leaves variable, Magnetite leaves black; luster reads metallic to dull on Meteorites and metallic on Magnetite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Meteorites leaves variable, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads metallic to dull on Meteorites and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
Often found alongside meteorites
Minerals reported to co-occur with meteorites. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Mohs hardness
- 5-8
- Density
- 3.0-8.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- Variable
- Luster
- Metallic to Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal habit
- Irregular Masses, Fusion Crust, Regmaglypts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research, Jewelry
- Host rock
- Extraterrestrial Origin
- Typical price
- $5-50 per gram for common types, significantly higher for rare specimens
Where rockhounds find meteorites
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Antarctica
- Northwest Africa
- Atacama Desert
- Nullarbor Plain
- Campo del Cielo
Field-hunting tip
Look in extraterrestrial origin country — that is the host setting where meteorites typically forms. If you start seeing olivine, pyroxene, kamacite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a irregular masses, fusion crust, regmaglypts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Kansas — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify meteorites?+
Where is meteorites found?+
Can I find meteorites in the United States?+
How much is meteorites worth?+
What rocks look like meteorites?+
What minerals are found with meteorites?+
What kind of rock does meteorites form in?+
What is meteorites used for?+
Find meteorites on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
