Hand specimen
A hand specimen is a piece of rock or meteorite large enough to hold and examine by eye or with a hand lens.
A hand specimen is a sample of rock, mineral or meteorite of a convenient size for holding and studying without a microscope. Geologists use the term to describe what can be seen with the naked eye or a hand lens: colour, texture, grain size, crust, visible minerals and features such as chondrules, metal flecks and veins.
For meteorites, the hand specimen is the first stage of identification. Look for a fusion crust, rounded edges, flow lines and regmaglypts on the outside, and inside, for metal grains, chondrules and a light interior that contrasts with the dark crust. Note the weight for its size and whether a magnet sticks.
Many features can only be confirmed by cutting a thin section or by chemical analysis, but a careful look at a hand specimen often reveals whether a rock is worth testing further. Practise on known meteorites in museums to learn what to look for.
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Level: Explorer Ages 10 and up