Gemstone profile and identification guide
Meteorite Stone
Meteorite stone is a trade category for extraterrestrial material used in jewelry and collector pieces.
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Overview
Meteorite stone is a trade category for extraterrestrial material used in jewelry and collector pieces.
Did you know? Acid etching can reveal Widmanstatten structures in many iron meteorites.
Use this profile as a collector reference and educational guide for quick on-page comparison, then validate with the interactive identification system.
Identification
Name: Meteorite Stone
Scientific classification: Extraterrestrial Material Trade Category
Hardness: 5.5 Mohs
Transparency: opaque
Lustre: metallic to submetallic
Crystal system: Composite natural meteoritic material
Primary colour: Grey
Secondary colour: Metallic Silver
Colour family: Whites & Neutrals
Authenticity depends on structure, composition, and documented source.
Verification Status
Status: verified-core-fields
Reference priority: GIA, Gem-A, Mindat, International Gem Society
Core identity, locality, and physical-property fields reviewed against standard gemological references.
Trade-name entries include conservative composition and treatment disclosures where needed.
Physical Properties
Hardness category: medium
Hardness value: 5.5 Mohs
Chemical composition: Variable iron-nickel metal and/or stony meteorite silicates depending on specimen
Crystal system: Composite natural meteoritic material
Common locations: Global meteorite finds; jewelry stock often from well-documented meteorite masses
Learn more: Gem-A gemstone education resources.
Colour Variations
Trade category for jewelry using meteorite-derived material, commonly etched iron-nickel sections.
Optical effects: Widmanstatten Pattern (iron meteorites)
Detailed Gemology
Mineral species: Meteorite-derived material (not a single mineral species)
Mineral group: Extraterrestrial composite material
Chemical formula: Variable iron-nickel metal and/or stony meteorite silicates depending on specimen
Mohs hardness: 5.5
Crystal system: Composite natural meteoritic material
Lustre: metallic to submetallic
Transparency: opaque
Streak: Variable
Cleavage: Not applicable as single-species metric
Fracture: Irregular
Specific gravity: Variable by meteorite type
Refractive index: Not typically used as primary metric for opaque metallic material
Optical phenomena: Widmanstatten pattern in etched iron types
Colour range: Grey, metallic, black, mixed tones
Common inclusions: Growth features, fractures, and matrix/inclusion structures as applicable
Geological environment: Species-dependent; see formation process
Principal mining regions: Global meteorite finds; jewelry stock often from well-documented meteorite masses
Important commercial sources: Meteorite stone is a broad trade label and must be tied to specific meteorite provenance for strict verification
Historical significance: Recognized in modern gem and mineral trade contexts.
Common treatments: Etching and protective coatings are common.
Synthetic or imitation forms: Imitations may exist depending on material category.
Common look-alikes: Species-dependent look-alikes in trade.
Jewellery uses: Used in rings, inlay, pendants, and collector slices.
Care recommendations: Iron-rich meteorite material can rust; keep dry and avoid acids.
Cross-check profile data with GIA Gem Encyclopedia and Mindat entry for Meteorite Stone.
Formation
Meteorites form in planetary and asteroidal environments and reach Earth as fall or find specimens.
Origin
Meteorite stone is a broad trade label and must be tied to specific meteorite provenance for strict verification
Uses
Best for: Used in rings, inlay, pendants, and collector slices.
Ideal uses: Collector-oriented jewelry with provenance records.
Care
Iron-rich meteorite material can rust; keep dry and avoid acids.
Need another candidate? Use advanced gemstone search or return to the identification guide.
Related gemstones by colour
Related gemstones by hardness
Commonly confused gemstones
Meteorite Stone FAQ
How can I identify Meteorite Stone?
Compare hardness (5.5 Mohs), crystal system (Composite natural meteoritic material), colour profile, and lustre (metallic to submetallic) with your sample. Then cross-check related gemstones listed above.
What colour range does Meteorite Stone appear in?
Trade category for jewelry using meteorite-derived material, commonly etched iron-nickel sections.
Where is Meteorite Stone commonly used?
Collector-oriented jewelry with provenance records.. For maintenance, follow the care guidance in this profile.
Scientific References
GIA: general gemstone identity (reviewed) - Batch 07 factual verification pass.
Gem-A: gemological terminology and testing references (reviewed) - Batch 07 factual verification pass.
Mindat: mineral species and principal localities (reviewed) - Batch 07 factual verification pass.
International Gem Society: gem trade context and treatment overview (reviewed) - Batch 07 factual verification pass.