Up for sale is an ultra rare meteorite known as NWA 12879, categorized as an Angrite. This gorgeous endcut weighs 4.441 grams, with nice polish to one side revealing vuggs, black and green olivine crystals. It is considered the OLDEST IGNEOUS ROCK ever discovered, estimated to have formed approximately 4.56 billion years ago. This is field paired and lab paired by xrf analysis.

Angrites are olivine-bearing, basaltic meteorites that originate from a volatile-depleted planetesimal. Previous work on angrites suggests that their parent body accreted within the first 0.5 to 1 Myr of solar system evolution and differentiated via extensive melting and crystallization of igneous rocks within ~2 Myr after the first solids formed (~4.57 billion years ago). Petrologic studies indicate that angrites experienced little physical or chemical alteration after crystallizing. Consequently, angrites are the oldest known igneous rocks, preserving records of early solar system chronology and planetary formation, melting, and differentiation.

This rare and valuable collectible belongs to the category of rocks, fossils & and minerals, specifically Meteorites & Tektites. This piece comes with a certificate of authenticity, making it a perfect addition to any personal collection or a unique gift for someone special.

Name: Northwest Africa 12879

     This is an OFFICIAL meteorite name.

Abbreviation: NWA 12879

Observed fall: No

Year found: 2019

Country: (Northwest Africa)

Mass: 11 g

Northwest Africa 12879 (NWA 12879)

(Northwest Africa)

Purchased: 2019

Classification: Angrite

History: The meteorite was purchased from a meteorite dealer in Morocco.

Physical characteristics: Many small dark brownish fragments without fusion crust.

Petrography: The meteorite exhibits a subophitic texture of lath-shaped up to 200 µm sized anorthite, Al-Ti-augite, and Ca-rich olivine Pyroxene and olivine show strong compositional zoning, which in case of olivine can be reverse. Several olivine grains are overgrown by kirschsteinite. Minor phases include titanomagnetite, troilite, kuratite, and silicoapatite.

Geochemistry: olivine: Fa65.1±20.9Ln9.5±6.8 (Fa15.6-84.9Ln0.4-21.2, FeO/MnO=86±12, n=36); clinopyroxene: Fs33.2±12.1Wo51.9±0.9 (Fs19.9-49.5Wo49.9-53.1, FeO/MnO=110±26, TiO2 = 2.2±0.9 wt%, Al2O3 = 7.6±1.1 wt%, n=22); kirschsteinite: Fa60.1±1.8Ln36.1±1.4 (Fa57.7-63.4Ln33.1-38.0, FeO/MnO=70±4, n=11); anorthite: An99.6±0.2 (An99.1-99.8, n=11)

Data from:

  MB108

  Table 0

  Line 0:

Place of purchase:Morocco

Date:P 2019

Mass (g):11

Pieces:many

Class:Angrite

Shock stage:low

Weathering grade:low

Fayalite (mol%):65.1; 60.1

Ferrosilite (mol%):33.2

Wollastonite (mol%):51.9

Classifier:A. Greshake, MNB

Type spec mass (g):2.2

Type spec location:MNB

Main mass:Said Yousfi

Comments:Submitted by Ansgar Greshake