Need an opinion from the Meteorite experts (I think I have a verdict)

Steve in PA

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Jul 5, 2010
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Pittsburgh, PA
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Detector(s) used
Fisher F75, XP Deus, Equinox 600, Fisher 1270
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Last Thursday I was at a colonial site in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. I was hunting in a cornfield when I got a strong signal reading 25-26 & Foil/Nickel on my F75. This type of signal could be a tombac button on a colonial site. The signal turned out to be this object, which I think COULD BE a meteorite. It is very dense and heavy, but it is non-magnetic. It weighs 65.1 grams and it's maximum dimensions are 31.5 x 26.5 x 20.0 mm. If it's not a meteorite, I don't know what it could be.

UPDATE - I tried to file a little window in this object. The material is very hard. I am not sure if this is adequate fo a window.
UPDATE (11-10-10) I met with a local meteorite hunter and collector today and we agree that my stone appears to be a Pyrite.
 

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Re: Need an opinion from the Meteorite experts

I don't know what type of magnet you used but it's best to use a neodymium (rare earth) magnet to check. If it's Non-magnetic with a neo then it's most likely a Meteorwrong.

There are some extrememly rare meteorites that won't snap to a magnet but outside of Anarctica they're pretty hard to find.
 

Re: Need an opinion from the Meteorite experts (Updated pics with window)

I'm not an expert.

If your stone is not attracted to a magnet but is very heavy, it may not be a meteorite.

I can't be certain. Your stone does appear to have flow lines on it: areas where metal has melted, possibly from ablation. (If you don't know what ablation is, you need to look that word up.)

Nickel is an unusual metal on earth. There is a nickel allergy test, which can give you a good idea whether the stone contains nickel. I'd suggest researching that to learn more.

Good Luck!
 

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