Mesosiderite Meteorites For Sale

Explore our exclusive selection of Mesosiderite meteorites, rare and beautiful celestial fragments that are as scientifically fascinating as they are visually stunning. Mesosiderites are a type of stony-iron meteorite, combining metal and silicate minerals in striking patterns. They are quite rare, making up less than 1% of classified meteorites. Thought to have originated from large, differentiated asteroids that experienced cataclysmic impacts, these meteorites provide a rare glimpse into the violent processes that shape our solar system.

Each Mesosiderite specimen is carefully curated for quality and authenticity. These specimens showcase intricate blends of nickel-iron alloy and silicate minerals, with textures ranging from brecciated to compact. Their unique structure results from a collision event where metallic core material and silicate crust from an asteroid were mixed, then cooled over millions of years. With a composition that includes minerals like olivine and pyroxene, Mesosiderites are prized by collectors, researchers, and enthusiasts for their distinctive formation and mineralogical diversity.

How Did Mesosiderite Meteorites Form?

Polished El Eglab Mesosiderite Meteorite ( g) Slice #266390

9.05" Polished El Eglab Mesosiderite Meteorite (323 g) Slice

$3,250

How Did Mesosiderite Meteorites Form?

Mesosiderite meteorites are believed to have formed through violent collisions in the asteroid belt, specifically between differentiated asteroids—bodies that, like planets, had separated into layers of metal-rich cores and silicate-rich crusts. Here’s a look at the key steps in their formation:

Differentiation: The parent asteroid of a mesosiderite originally formed like a miniature planet, with heavy metallic elements (like iron and nickel) sinking to the core, and lighter, rocky silicate materials forming a crust.

Catastrophic Collision: At some point, this differentiated asteroid collided with another asteroid, likely at high speeds. This collision shattered the asteroid, exposing both its metal core and silicate crust. Some scientists suggest that the impact was so energetic it mixed the metallic core material with the rocky silicate material in a chaotic fashion.

Mixing and Brecciation: The force of the collision mixed the metal and silicate fragments together, creating a brecciated texture, which means it was broken and reassembled into a complex, interlocked pattern of metal and rock. Some mesosiderites also contain melted portions, where heat from the collision partially melted the materials, causing them to re-solidify in unique patterns.

Cooling and Ejection: After the impact, the fragments cooled slowly over millions of years. Eventually, some of these fragments were ejected from the asteroid belt, likely by additional collisions or gravitational interactions with larger planets like Jupiter. These ejected pieces drifted through space, and some were captured by Earth’s gravity, leading to their fall as meteorites.