Can you metal detect meteorites? John Wright says 'definitely', and then offers some good advice to get you started. I can tell you this... meteorite is more valuable than gold. I have seen pieces of meteorite valued at up to a million dollars. And unlike gold, there are some REALLY big pieces out there, some in excess of one hundred pounds or more. Although rare, they exists, and are on display in museums and resellers around the world.
One interesting source is 'Meteorite Men' on the Discovery Channel. If you haven't watched, two partners explore the known meteorite fields of the world with detectors hopeing to discover small pieces of meteorites worth some big bucks. You can also watch as they take their finds to buyers and cash in on their efforts. Read on....
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People often asked me the question: 'Can I find meteorites with my metal detector?' The quick answer is yes you can but it is a bit more complicated than that. It all depends on the composition of the meteorite.
There are basically three types of meteorites, Stone meteorites, Iron meteorites and Stone-Iron meteorites. The composition of a meteorite varies from almost only silica (stone) to almost only nickel-iron. The good news is that all meteorites contain some metal and can be detected, some very easily and others with more difficulty.
How do you distinguish a meteorite from an ordinary stone?
Meteorites contain iron so look for rocks with a smooth surface and a red-brown color that suggest rust. Meteorites are also a lot heavier because of the metal content than other terrestrial rocks in the vicinity. Another point is that almost all meteorites are magnetic. Look for rocks that are out of place or just looks odd in the area you are hunting in. Another very important indicator is "thumbprints" which is just indentations and depressions in the rock. These thumbprints are created as less dense material in the meteorite is burned away when it enters the earth's atmosphere. To be absolutely sure about the find you can test the rock for nickel as meteorites have a very high nickel content. An off the shelf nickel allergy test can be used to test for the presence of nickel in the rock.
Where do I hunt for meteorites?
You can look for the footprint of an impact also known as "Strewn Fields", most of the known ones have been searched but you never know. Deserts are also one of the best places to look for meteorites, meteorites will not weather and erode away as fast and there is no ground cover or vegetation which makes it a lot easier. Craters are a dead giveaway but are also well known and may be restricted. One can also do some online research with Google by searching the "Meteorite Database" which is full of great information on all classified finds in the world.
Are meteorites valuable?
Apart from the fact that they are cosmic treasures and have traveled billions of kilometers to reach the earth, to hold one is to look back into the past to the beginning of time. Meteorites are rarer than gold and often more valuable per weight. Some meteorites are even more valuable than diamonds. No wonder meteorite hunting is so popular these days with metal detectors.
I hope this answers some of your questions and happy metal detecting meteorites.
Meteorites contain iron so look for rocks with a smooth surface and a red-brown color that suggest rust. Meteorites are also a lot heavier because of the metal content than other terrestrial rocks in the vicinity. Another point is that almost all meteorites are magnetic. Look for rocks that are out of place or just looks odd in the area you are hunting in. Another very important indicator is "thumbprints" which is just indentations and depressions in the rock. These thumbprints are created as less dense material in the meteorite is burned away when it enters the earth's atmosphere. To be absolutely sure about the find you can test the rock for nickel as meteorites have a very high nickel content. An off the shelf nickel allergy test can be used to test for the presence of nickel in the rock.
Where do I hunt for meteorites?
You can look for the footprint of an impact also known as "Strewn Fields", most of the known ones have been searched but you never know. Deserts are also one of the best places to look for meteorites, meteorites will not weather and erode away as fast and there is no ground cover or vegetation which makes it a lot easier. Craters are a dead giveaway but are also well known and may be restricted. One can also do some online research with Google by searching the "Meteorite Database" which is full of great information on all classified finds in the world.
Are meteorites valuable?
Apart from the fact that they are cosmic treasures and have traveled billions of kilometers to reach the earth, to hold one is to look back into the past to the beginning of time. Meteorites are rarer than gold and often more valuable per weight. Some meteorites are even more valuable than diamonds. No wonder meteorite hunting is so popular these days with metal detectors.
I hope this answers some of your questions and happy metal detecting meteorites.
John Wright is a metal detecting expert. For more information on metal detecting meteorites, visit http://www.metaldetectingcenter.com.
