Big Meteorite??? or bust?

[Hoodwinked]

Found this in a property I owned in Cuernavaca. Passes all the layman tests and rings like a high pitched ring. About 40 pounds have not weighed yet. I have had it about four years and finally got to check it. Look at the pics? On my Minelab Explorer II reads 31 31. The light colored test cut area in the center is about dime size. Any input would be appreciated.

 

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[Tuberale]

Sorry Hoodwinked. Not likely. But if found with metal detector in that area, could still be something valuable. The eroded area does not look like native iron or have Widmanstatten diagrams to my eye.

 

[Hoodwinked]

I am thinking chondrite where the metal flakes are normally <1mm. It rings like a PING, similar to an anvil when hammering. Will not ring when hit on flat side just the edges.

 

[augoldminer]

Looks like a chondrite.
Test one of the grains with a nickel allergy test kit.

The Nickel Test Kit Blog | Nickel Test Kits

 

[Hoodwinked]

I concede, I believe its Basalt after others advice. Its really a fooler.

 

[49r Relics]

I concede, I believe its Basalt after others advice. Its really a fooler.

What makes you think it's Basalt? The Widmanstatten pattern will not be seen on an inspection groove like that. It has to be a polished window and then treated with acid to develop the pattern. Ultimate confirmation would be to cut it. Are there any known falls in your area? If you need help with this, PM me.

 

[GTzer]

If those a metal grains in the dark matrix- I'd say you have a good chance of it being meteoritic.

 

[supertraq]

i hope you didn't get rid of that rock!It looks like a meteorite to me..The widmanstatten pattern is seen only in IRON meteorites not chondrite nor stony iron or any other meteorite,,looks like a good find..S.T

 

[CoinandRelicMan]

Info not all meteorites show that pattern (Widd) even when acid etched, that group of meteorites also have a higher percentile of
nickel like 15 % or above(forget exact numbers), the worlds largest known meteorite does not give this pattern. And is a national monument in Africa.

The Giant Crystal Project : Largest Meteoritic Iron : Hoba Meteorite Namibia

 

[DDancer]

Looks like a good candidate. Have it slabbed and tested.

 

[Charl]

Best candidate I've seen on here. Metal flakes in the window and it looks like fusion crust. I wish there were more photos of the crust, but I agree with those who say test it. I've collected for over 30 years; that's the best possibility I've seen in past couple years here.

 

[BayRockMan]

Found this in a property I owned in Cuernavaca. Passes all the layman tests and rings like a high pitched ring. About 40 pounds have not weighed yet. I have had it about four years and finally got to check it. Look at the pics? On my Minelab Explorer II reads 31 31. The light colored test cut area in the center is about dime size. Any input would be appreciated.

Great find. Shape, surface texture, metal flecks, interior dark near surface, light gray farther in, possible chondrules on surface or holes where they popped out.

There is one find near Cuernavaca, a synonym for the Chupaderos meteorite. But that's an iron, not a chondrite. See Meteoritical Bulletin: Entry for Chupaderos

I'd recommend you polish up that window using common emory cloth or sandpaper. It goes quick with a grinder or sander. Polish to at least 400 grit or finer. You should then be able to easily spot chondrules, if present. You should also seek out an experienced person in your area if looking for a second opinion. A list of possible folks at I.M.C.A. International Meteorite Collectors Association

I have bought possible meteorites based on photos alone in the past. And have a box of wrongs to prove it. But also a number of proven finds. This looks as good as it gets and I have bought specimens in the past that looked worse. It may well be worth it to pursue lab analysis. If proven genuine, it will easily pay back the investment. Can't put a possible value on it without knowing the type but retail (sliced / polished) at $0.50 a gram is a low floor that's reasonable for the most common types.

Hope this helps. Would love to see a pic of that window when polished.

 

[flyadive]

Any impact marks?
And what the heck is sprouting out of it? Alien plant life form!?