Fake meteorite
A fake meteorite is an Earth rock or man-made object deliberately sold as a meteorite.
A fake meteorite is something sold as a meteorite that is not one, with the seller knowing or suspecting this. It differs from an honest meteorwrong, a rock mistaken for a meteorite by someone who genuinely believes it.
Common fakes include pieces of industrial slag, iron ore, man-made iron or steel cast into meteorite shapes, coloured glass sold as moldavite or Libyan Desert Glass, and ordinary rocks painted or blackened to imitate fusion crust. Some fakes copy famous meteorites, such as artificially etched iron pretending to show Widmanstätten patterns, or resin-filled 'pallasite' slices.
To avoid fakes, buy from reputable dealers who provide official names and provenance. Be wary of very low prices, vague descriptions and exotic claims such as 'Martian' or 'lunar' at bargain prices. Real Martian and lunar meteorites are rare, carefully documented and individually named. If in doubt, ask a museum or a meteorite expert for an opinion before buying.
Related terms
Level: Explorer Ages 10 and up