How to choose a meteorite for a collection or as a gift?
Meteorites make fascinating gifts and collector's pieces. They come from outer space and bring a piece of the cosmos right into your hands. Each meteorite is billions of years old and its journey through space is full of mystery. If you're thinking of buying a meteorite for yourself or a loved one, here's some key information to help you choose.
Types of meteorites
Meteorites are divided into three main types:
- Rock meteorites (chondrites and achondrites) - The most common type, they make up about 94% of all meteorites. Chondrites contain small spherical formations (chondrules) and are among the oldest material in the solar system. Chondrites are rarer and come from larger bodies (including Mars or the Moon) where they have been melted and reshaped.
- Iron - Contain a high proportion of iron and nickel, and often have a beautiful texture after grinding and acid etching. Their composition makes them very durable and attractive to look at. Some iron meteorites come from the cores of ancient asteroids.
- Stone-iron (pallasites and mesosiderites) - Very rare, they combine a stone and metallic component. Pallasites are particularly attractive because of their olivine crystals, which produce a beautiful effect when illuminated. They are considered one of the most beautiful meteorites.
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A special category is micrometeorites, which can also be found in our offer. Micrometeorites are tiny particles of cosmic dust, only tenths of a millimetre in size, which are miniature works of art. Although they are tiny, their importance is enormous - they contain information about the early phases of the Solar System.
Closely related to meteorites are the tektites and impacities that are formed when a meteorite impacts. Most of them are also natural glass and among the most famous in our country are the Czech Vltavites. Libyan glass, which also adorned the necklace of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, should not be left out.
How much is a meteorite worth?
The price of meteorites varies according to rarity, size and origin:
- Common chondrites can cost from a few hundred crowns. They are affordable and great for beginners.
- Iron meteorites with etched surfaces are in the thousands. Their structure is unique.
- Pallasites or rare lunar/Martan meteorites are usually among the most expensive. These fragments from other planets and moons are extremely rare and valuable. However, we also think of beginner collectors, so you can find similar smaller pieces in our shop for hundreds of crowns.
You can buy meteorite in sizes ranging from a few grams to kilograms. Larger pieces are of course more expensive, but even small fragments have a huge collector's value.
Which meteorite to choose as a gift?
It depends on who you are giving the gift to and what effect you want to achieve:
- For beginning collectors - A small chondrite or iron meteorite is both affordable and fascinating.
- For lovers of beautiful stones - Pallasite with its translucent olivines looks like a gem from outer space.
- For those who love space - A piece of the Moon or Mars is a truly unique gift.
- For children - Smaller meteorites (such as from our meteorite in a box series) with an accompanying explanation of their origin are a great way to spark an interest in space.
- For science enthusiasts - Unique meteorites such as the achondrites Erg Chech 002, Ksar Ghilane 022 or Rafsa 005.
Meteorites often have interesting stories. Some have witnessed dramatic impacts on Earth, others have travelled through space for billions of years before hitting our planet.
Each meteorite is a witness to events that took place billions of years ago. They can come from asteroids, the Moon, Mars or even from distant parts of the Solar System. Their composition and structure reveal details about the formation of planets and the chemical processes in the Universe.
Some meteorites contain organic molecules that may indicate what building blocks of life existed in the universe long before the Earth was formed. In other words, meteorites help us understand not only the history of the universe, but also the possible origins of life on our planet.
A meteorite is not only a beautiful collector's piece, but also an original gift with a story that is billions of years old. Whether you are choosing a meteorite for yourself or for someone else, it is sure to be a gift that will captivate any space lover. For it brings not only aesthetic value, but also the amazing opportunity to touch a real piece of the univers