How do I preserve a meteorite and spot a fake?
Verdict summary
Keep meteorites dry: iron meteorites rust, so store them with silica gel, handle them with gloves, and never wash them in water. Fakes are common, especially of popular irons such as Muonionalusta and Sikhote-Alin, so buy from established dealers who give provenance, such as members of the International Meteorite Collectors Association.
A real iron meteorite slice shows a Widmanstätten pattern when etched; cast or acid-patterned fakes exist, so a pattern alone is not proof.
If you think you found one, a university or museum meteorite lab can classify it.
Sources: International Meteorite Collectors Association; Meteoritical Society.
How do you tell if a rock is a meteorite? Most meteorites are heavier than ordinary rocks, attract a magnet, and have a thin black or brown fusion crust with no bubbles or holes. Most rocks people think are meteorites are not. A university or museum meteorite lab can confirm one.
Primary sources cited
- International Meteorite Collectors Association
- Meteoritical Society