The facts
What ordinary Chondrite actually is
Mineralogically, ordinary Chondrite is the commonest meteorite type: undifferentiated primitive stone containing chondrules - millimetre-scale melt droplets from the early solar nebula, about 4.56 billion years old — Olivine, pyroxene, plagioclase, Fe-Ni metal and troilite; classified H, L and LL by metal and iron content, crystallising in the aggregate system.
The colour is caused by dark grey to brown interior; fresh falls have a black fusion crust, desert finds weather to rusty brown. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer gives nothing, because the material is opaque, and the specific gravity sits near 3.20-3.80; cleavage is none; chondrules visible on a cut face.
Where ordinary Chondrite comes from
The recognised sources are Northwest Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Mali) - the 'NWA' numbered finds that supply most of the market, Dhofar and Al Wusta, Oman, Atacama Desert, Chile, Chelyabinsk, Russia (2013 witnessed fall); Allende, Chihuahua, Mexico (a carbonaceous chondrite, not ordinary) and Antarctica (ANSMET and Japanese collections - scientific only, never sold).
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How ordinary Chondrite is treated
Usually untreated beyond cutting and sealing; desert finds are weathered and rust. LEGAL: Oman prohibits meteorite collection and export outright, with prosecutions; Algeria restricts export; Moroccan material flows through a grey market with no formal permitting; Antarctic meteorites are collected under the Antarctic Treaty for research and cannot be traded. Witnessed falls with documented recovery carry large premiums and are routinely faked. A nickel test and a metallographic section separate real stones from 'meteorwrongs'.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What ordinary Chondrite is confused with
The usual confusions are Terrestrial basalt, slag and ironstone concretions ('meteorwrongs'), Magnetite and hematite nodules and Achondrites (no chondrules, higher value).
Because the material is opaque, refractive index is no help. Specific gravity around 3.20-3.80, hardness of 5-6, streak and magnification do the work instead.
What ordinary Chondrite is used for
Ordinary Chondrite is bought by mineral collecting, decorative objects and jewellery — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen, by the piece or by the carat.
Durability and care
Hardness 5-6; cleavage none; chondrules visible on a cut face. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What ordinary Chondrite costs
Indicative pricing for ordinary Chondrite is $0.30-3 per gram for common NWA chondrites; $10-100 per gram for witnessed falls; rare classes and carbonaceous chondrites far higher.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is ordinary Chondrite treated, and how?
Usually untreated beyond cutting and sealing; desert finds are weathered and rust. LEGAL: Oman prohibits meteorite collection and export outright, with prosecutions; Algeria restricts export; Moroccan material flows through a grey market with no formal permitting; Antarctic meteorites are collected under the Antarctic Treaty for research and cannot be traded. Witnessed falls with documented recovery carry large premiums and are routinely faked. A nickel test and a metallographic section separate real stones from 'meteorwrongs'.
Where does ordinary Chondrite come from?
Northwest Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Mali) - the 'NWA' numbered finds that supply most of the market, Dhofar and Al Wusta, Oman, Atacama Desert, Chile, Chelyabinsk, Russia (2013 witnessed fall); Allende, Chihuahua, Mexico (a carbonaceous chondrite, not ordinary) and Antarctica (ANSMET and Japanese collections - scientific only, never sold). Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is ordinary Chondrite hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 5-6 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does ordinary Chondrite cost?
Indicatively $0.30-3 per gram for common NWA chondrites; $10-100 per gram for witnessed falls; rare classes and carbonaceous chondrites far higher. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is ordinary Chondrite confused with?
Most often Terrestrial basalt, slag and ironstone concretions ('meteorwrongs'), Magnetite and hematite nodules and Achondrites (no chondrules, higher value). Since the material is opaque, separation relies on specific gravity near 3.20-3.80, hardness and magnification.
What is ordinary Chondrite used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting and decorative objects. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for ordinary chondrite?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about ordinary chondrite