There is something almost unbelievable about holding a meteorite for the first time.
It may look like a small piece of dark metal or an unusual rock, but what you are actually holding came from space. Many meteorites are billions of years old—older than the rocks beneath our feet and, in some cases, nearly as old as the solar system itself.
That combination of science, history, and the simple excitement of owning something that once traveled through space makes meteorite collecting a fascinating hobby.
The good news? You don't need a huge budget or a science degree to get started.
Whether you're interested in meteorites yourself, looking for an unusual gift, or helping a young collector begin their first collection, here's what you should know.
Don't forget to shop our online collection of authentic collectibles like meteorites, fossils sports cards and more here.
What Is a Meteorite?
A meteorite is a piece of material from space that survives its trip through Earth's atmosphere and reaches the ground.
You may have heard the words meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite used interchangeably, but they actually describe different stages of the same basic journey.
A meteoroid is a piece of rock or metal traveling through space. When it enters Earth's atmosphere and produces the streak of light we often call a "shooting star," it becomes a meteor. If some of that material survives the journey and lands on Earth, the remaining piece is called a meteorite.
Those surviving pieces are what collectors can actually own.
Why Collect Meteorites?
People collect meteorites for many of the same reasons they collect fossils, minerals, shark teeth, and other pieces of natural history.
But meteorites have one obvious difference:
They aren't from Earth.
A small meteorite specimen can put an actual piece of our solar system in the palm of your hand.
Meteorites can also be excellent conversation pieces. Show someone a fossil shark tooth and they usually want to know what kind of shark it came from. Hand them a meteorite and tell them they're holding something that fell from space, and the reaction is usually immediate.
That's part of what makes them especially fun for beginning collectors.
Start With a Known Meteorite
One of the easiest ways to begin collecting meteorites is to purchase a small specimen from a well-known meteorite fall or find.
You don't need to begin with an enormous museum-quality specimen.
In fact, a smaller documented meteorite is often a much better starting point.
One popular example is the Campo del Cielo meteorite from Argentina. Campo del Cielo is an iron meteorite associated with a large meteorite fall that occurred thousands of years ago. Many individual fragments have been recovered from the area, which has made genuine specimens accessible to collectors.
For someone who simply wants the experience of owning their first real meteorite, specimens like these can be a great introduction to the hobby.
Learn the Three Main Types of Meteorites
As your collection grows, you'll probably want to branch out beyond your first specimen.
Meteorites are generally divided into three broad groups.
Stony Meteorites
Stony meteorites are composed primarily of silicate minerals and are the most common type of meteorite found on Earth.
Many belong to a group known as chondrites, which can contain tiny spherical structures called chondrules. These primitive materials provide scientists with important clues about conditions during the formation of the early solar system.
Iron Meteorites
Iron meteorites consist largely of iron and nickel.
Their metallic composition often makes them feel surprisingly heavy for their size, and their appearance makes them especially appealing to beginning collectors.
Campo del Cielo is an example of an iron meteorite.
Stony-Iron Meteorites
Stony-iron meteorites contain significant amounts of both rocky material and metal.
Some of the most visually spectacular meteorites belong to this category, particularly pallasites, which can contain translucent crystals surrounded by metallic material.
These specimens can become significantly more expensive, making them something many collectors add after learning more about the hobby.
You Don't Need to Spend a Fortune
One of the biggest misconceptions about meteorite collecting is that anything from space must cost thousands of dollars.
It doesn't.
Meteorite prices vary tremendously depending on the type, rarity, size, condition, provenance, and where the specimen was found.
That means a beginner can start with a relatively inexpensive authentic specimen and gradually build a collection over time.
Rather than buying the biggest meteorite you can afford, consider building a collection around variety.
For example, your first collection might eventually include:
- An iron meteorite
- A common chondrite
- A meteorite from a famous documented fall or find
- A small stony-iron specimen
- A specimen from several different locations
Suddenly you aren't simply accumulating rocks—you are building a collection that tells the story of meteorites and our solar system.
Documentation Matters
When purchasing a meteorite, knowing where it came from is important.
Collectors often use the word provenance to describe the documented history or origin of a specimen.
A meteorite with information identifying the recognized fall or find is generally much more useful to a collector than an unidentified piece simply labeled "meteorite."
Keep any labels, identification cards, receipts, or other documentation that comes with your specimens. As your collection grows, this information helps you remember exactly what you own and preserves the history associated with each piece.
You can even create your own collection catalog containing the meteorite's name, classification, location, weight, dimensions, date purchased, and where you obtained it.
Be Careful When Buying Meteorites Online
Meteorites are unusual enough that beginning collectors may have difficulty determining whether a specimen is genuine simply by looking at photographs.
Many ordinary Earth rocks can look surprisingly meteorite-like.
A magnet test alone isn't enough either. Plenty of terrestrial materials contain iron and may react to a magnet.
That's why purchasing from a seller who clearly identifies what they're selling and provides information about the specimen's origin is important.
Be especially cautious of dramatic claims attached to unidentified specimens. If someone claims an ordinary-looking rock is an extremely rare lunar or Martian meteorite without meaningful documentation, that's a reason to investigate further before purchasing.
How Should You Store a Meteorite?
How you store a meteorite depends partly on its composition.
Iron meteorites require particular attention because iron can oxidize when exposed to moisture.
Keeping specimens in a dry environment is important. Small display cases, specimen boxes, or containers can help protect them from excessive handling and humidity.
Some collectors also use silica gel packets or other moisture-control methods around susceptible specimens.
And while there's nothing wrong with occasionally holding your meteorite—that's part of the fun—keeping it protected when it isn't being handled can help preserve it.
Build a Collection Around What Interests You
There isn't one correct way to collect meteorites.
Some collectors want specimens from as many different meteorite classifications as possible.
Others collect meteorites from famous locations.
Some want large display specimens, while others prefer numerous small examples.
You might even build a broader Pieces of History collection combining meteorites with fossils, dinosaur bone, amber, minerals, and prehistoric shark teeth.
That's one of our favorite things about collecting natural history: every object gives you a physical connection to a story that happened long before any of us were here.
Your First Meteorite Doesn't Have to Be Your Best Meteorite
Beginning collectors sometimes worry about finding the "perfect" specimen.
Don't.
Your first meteorite should be something that makes you excited about owning a piece of space.
Learn what it is. Learn where it was found. Learn how meteorites form and what scientists can discover from them.
Then add another.
Over time, you'll begin recognizing different types, locations, classifications, and characteristics. What started as one interesting little object can turn into a collection representing billions of years of solar-system history.
And that's the remarkable thing about meteorite collecting.
You don't have to visit a museum or look through a telescope to connect with space.
Sometimes you can simply hold it in your hand.