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SKU:S223

Aletai Meteorite Collector Piece China

Aletai Meteorite Collector Piece China

Regular price R1,220.00 ZAR
Regular price Sale price R1,220.00 ZAR
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For the serious collector, the Aletai meteorite represents something that few specimens can offer: a combination of extraordinary rarity, scientific significance, and a documented history that spans more than a century of discovery. First identified in 1898 under the name Armanty, its true nature — a single massive cosmic body scattered across Northern Xinjiang — was only fully understood after decades of analysis, culminating in its formal naming as Aletai in 2016.

The credentials of this Aletai collector piece are unmatched. It is classified as an anomalous IIIE iron meteorite — a coarse octahedrite described by scientists as unlike any other known sample — with a Widmanstätten pattern distinct from all other IIIE irons and a mineralogy that includes kamacite, taenite, plessite, schreibersite, troilite, cohenite, haxonite, and daubréelite. Its elevated cobalt, gold, and iridium content further distinguishes it from any other iron meteorite group.

The fall itself holds world records: a strewn field of at least 430 kilometres — the longest ever recorded on Earth — and a total recovered mass exceeding 74 tonnes. A genuine Aletai collector meteorite is not simply rare. It is the kind of specimen that defines a serious natural history collection.

 

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: ≈31mm x 44mm x 12mm

✓ Weight: 55 gram

Add a world-record Aletai collector meteorite to your collection — anomalous, scientifically unique, and unlike anything else available.

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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