Meteorite help needed

[twisttop]

I know it is rare to find a meteorite, but I believe I found one metal detecting. It is very heavy, magnetic and looks to have a fusion crust. I have ground a window and polished it. Ordered 5% Nitol to etch it. I see slight wadmanstatten lines, but they do not show up very well unless the light is just right. What am I doing wrong. The widmanstatten lines are very faint. Nothing like what I have seen on the Internet.

 

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[twisttop]

I didn’t want to take it to a University and be told it is a tip of a bucket tooth and be embarrassed. I do see widmanstatten lines when the light hits it right.

 

[SWINGER1969]

Congrats on the find. If its heavy and metalic and has a fusion crust i would call it a Meteorite.

 

[Tpmetal]

they are faint because of the poor polish, you really need a great polish for them to stand out. also make sure you get a proper etching by cleaning the surface first, with acetone or alcohol. hope its real!

 

[twisttop]

Thanks, I used 1000 grit sand paper. I will try cleaning it.

 

[Kray Gelder]

It's a promising looking find. Good luck.

 

[Tpmetal]

Thanks, I used 1000 grit sand paper. I will try cleaning it.

I can still see scratches, unless those are etch marks you are seeing. i would go up to a 6000 and clean the surface really well, then go for the etch.

 

[hvacker]

Further down is a meteorite forum you could move this to.
A little history from a book from NM on the Glorieta Fall.
Years ago a printed plate published by Kunz early in the last century (date unsure) described a process on a Glorieta meteorite.
The stone (6'5"x11'5") was polished and etched (nitric acid probably) brushed with graphite and placed in a copper bath.
The copper being deposited directly on the iron creating a perfect negative electrotype and printed.
Called very successful and the largest reproduction ever printed.
The actual process wasn't in the book but to someone that knows metal plating it's probably close enough.
There might be more modern processes. A bit of time on a lap machine might bring out a pattern better or it might just be a hunk of iron. A nickel test would be a good move.

You probably know this but exposed iron will rust quickly. What I've heard some doing is wiping with automatic transmission fluid. Not sure how great that is. On tools and non-moving parts of guns, I like paste wax or bees wax.

 

[twisttop]

Thanks, I used 1000 grit sand paper. I will clean it and try again.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Nice find, sure hope its the real thing!

 

[galenrog]

Years ago, when I did lapidary, I frequently did cutting and polishing of suspected meteorites. Polish was always 10,000 grit of finer. Cleaning was isopropyl alcohol. Etching was dilute nitric acid. When done well, the Widmanstatten pattern would pop out dramatically. The vast majority of items were common rocks, ores, and slag, so the few meteorites I did help identify stood out like a beacon in the night.

Your item is doubtful, in my opinion. While nothing pops out at me saying “meteorite” or “not meteorite”, I get this nagging feeling that it is simply a blob of iron similar to some I have found near old smithies and small foundaries.

My best advice it to have it evaluated by a qualified professional. Some University geology departments have people who can do this.

Time for more coffee.

 

[smokeythecat]

It looks very promising to me.

 

[twisttop]

Thank. I buffed the window some more until it had a mirror finish. I can definitely see the Neumann or widmanstatten lines now. Without etching. They are perpendicular to my sanding and buffing strokes. The lines would be faintly visible after each time I sanded, but disappeared after etching. 6% nitol was way too strong. Diluted nitol still did not make them stand out like they do now after mirror finish buffing. I am sure it is a meteorite now. Thanks for the recommendation of finer sanding. I believe it is a hexahedrite class Iron Meteorite. What a emotional roller coaster each time the lines disappeared. I have thought it was a tip of a bucket tooth about 20 different times. I am very happy to have this.

 

[chub]

Thank. I buffed the window some more until it had a mirror finish. I can definitely see the Neumann or widmanstatten lines now. Without etching. They are perpendicular to my sanding and buffing strokes. The lines would be faintly visible after each time I sanded, but disappeared after etching. 6% nitol was way too strong. Diluted nitol still did not make them stand out like they do now after mirror finish buffing. I am sure it is a meteorite now. Thanks for the recommendation of finer sanding. I believe it is a hexahedrite class Iron Meteorite. What a emotional roller coaster each time the lines disappeared. I have thought it was a tip of a bucket tooth about 20 different times. I am very happy to have this.

Very Jealous!!
Find of a lifetime

Chub

 

[Calgarychef]

Haw about some updated photos? I’d love to see them

 

[twisttop]

the lines show up, but not very well in the picture. They are dark and straight as an arrow. Some also on the far right that run over the right edge.

 

[twisttop]

Haw about some updated photos? I’d love to see them

Those pictures above are about the best I can get right now. The dark lines are what I believe to be widmanstatten lines.