SKU:S819

Aletai Meteorite Natural Specimen China

Name: Aletai Meteorite Natural Specimen China
Brand: ForeverGems_Tuc
SKU: S819
Price: 1260.00 ZAR
Availability: InStock

Aletai Meteorite Natural Specimen China

R1,260.00 ZAR

Sale Sold out

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1 in stock

A natural Aletai meteorite specimen presents one of the most compelling objects in the natural history collecting world exactly as it was found: unprocessed, unaltered, and carrying every mark of its extraordinary journey from deep space to the plains of Northern Xinjiang. The Aletai fall — once catalogued as Armanty, Xinjiang, and Ulasitai before being formally named in 2016 — produced the largest meteorite strewn field ever recorded on Earth, stretching at least 430 kilometres across the Altay Prefecture region of China.

In its natural state, this Aletai specimen displays the authentic surface character of an iron meteorite that has spent millennia in the landscape of Northern Xinjiang: a dense, metallic presence with the natural patina and surface features that no reproduction or terrestrial rock can replicate. Beneath the surface lies a mineralogical complexity that has fascinated scientists since the meteorite was first identified in 1898 — kamacite, taenite, plessite, and rare accessory minerals including schreibersite, troilite, cohenite, haxonite, and daubréelite, all within an anomalous IIIE iron framework enriched with cobalt, gold, and iridium.

With total recovered mass exceeding 74 tonnes and a classification as a coarse octahedrite unlike any other known sample, this natural Aletai meteorite specimen is a genuinely remarkable piece of cosmic and scientific history.

The Specimen Details

✓ Meteorite Type: Anomalous IIIE Iron Meteorite (Coarse Octahedrite)

✓ Composition: Kamacite, Taenite, Plessite; elevated Cobalt, Gold & Iridium

✓ Accessory Minerals: Schreibersite, Troilite, Cohenite, Haxonite, Daubréelite

✓ Strewn Field: 430+ km — longest ever recorded on Earth

✓ Total Recovered Mass: Exceeds 74 tonnes

✓ Fall Location: Northern Xinjiang (Altay Prefecture), China

✓ First Identified: 1898 (as Armanty); formally named Aletai in 2016

✓ Specimen Size: ≈46mm x 17mm x 19mm

✓ Weight: 59 gram

Add a natural Aletai meteorite specimen to your collection — authentic, unaltered, and from the world's largest recorded meteorite strewn field.

Before You Add to Cart ✨

Online Only: This exact piece is available online only. Similar pieces may be available in store so please check with us before you visit Forever Gems in Franschhoek. Want to view it in-store? Just ask — we’ll arrange it.

Photos: We shoot for accuracy, but colors may vary slightly by screen or lighting.

Size & Weight: Full details are in the description. Please check before buying.

What You See Is What You Get: The item pictured is the exact piece you’ll receive.

Authenticity Guaranteed 🛡️

Every specimen at Forever Gems is personally hand-selected and verified. We source exclusively from trusted IMCA-registered dealers, artisanal miners, and long-standing partners we meet with annually at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.

Any replica or reproduction fossils are always clearly labeled and sold separately.

Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee

We stand behind the authenticity of every fossil we sell. If a fossil purchased from Forever Gems can be scientifically proven not to be authentic, it may be returned at any time for a full refund, provided supporting proof is supplied. This lifetime authenticity guarantee is in addition to our standard 30-day return policy.

Rather than paper certificates, we rely on over 13 years of experience, expert knowledge, and trusted supplier relationships to ensure authenticity and quality.

Shipping & Collection 🚚

We ship nationwide with The Courier Guy and RAM Hand-to-Hand Couriers primarily and worldwide with FedEx. Tracking provided on all orders.

Local pickup: Wellington by appointment, Franschhoek Store Fri–Sun, or Franschhoek Village Market Saturdays (weather permitting).

Own courier: We’ll notify you when ready for collection from Wellington, SA.

International: Shipping options show at checkout. Duties/taxes, if any, are paid by the buyer.

All specimens are securely packaged to arrive safely. Questions? Contact us

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