Rare & Unusual

The Smallest Meteorites on Earth: Micrometeorites Micrometeorites are tiny particles of extraterrestrial origin that regularly fall to Earth—an estimated 5,200 to 7,000 metric tons of micrometeorites enter Earth’s atmosphere every year. Because of their small size, most micrometeorites burn up upon entering the atmosphere, so only a fraction—about 100 metric tonnes a day—make it to Earth as meteorites. These microscopic objects, which range in size from a few microns to a few millimeters, are fragments of comets, asteroids, and other bodies in the solar system. In many ways, these micros can not be compared to their larger cousin, the meteorite. Unlike meteorites, micrometeorites melt completely and recrystallize upon entry into our atmosphere. Though they are small, they are incredibly important because they provide scientists with a wealth of information about the early solar system and the processes that formed it. It is extremely challenging to hunt for and identify micrometeorites. Only a handful of people around the globe embark on such an undertaking. Aerolite is extremely honored to offer genuine micrometeorites and their accompanying photographs with find locations and dates. As a side note, an incredible amount of work goes into creating each micrometeorite image. On average, 500 individual images are stacked and stitched together to create each close-up photo. We are pleased to present micrometeorites, their photographs, and impressive framed sets.

In his global travels spanning over two decades, Geoff Notkin amassed a truly world-class collection of meteorites, which we are pleased to present. These pieces are an assemblage of top-quality examples of stone and iron meteorites, pallasite, mesosiderites, impactites, and lunar and Martian specimens. Also represented are historic and rare meteorite types, which often come with the best stories. Geoff has opened his vault and pulled some of his long-time favorites, meticulously hand-painting Notkin Collection (NC) numbers on some. Experienced collectors will spot famous meteorites among the lot, including rocks Geoff pulled from the ground himself from impact sites around the world. This is a spectacular opportunity for novice collectors as well, who would do well to pick up a Notkin Collection meteorite not likely to circulate the market in the future. Each Notkin Collection piece is accompanied by a special identification card, signed by Geoff himself, that includes that meteorite’s unique NC number.

The Enigma of Ungrouped Meteorites: Cosmic Orphans In the rigorous world of meteoritics, most specimens fit into established families like the H-chondrites or the Main Group of Pallasites. However, a tiny and elite percentage of arrivals are classified as "ungrouped." These rare meteorites are the true taxonomic orphans of the solar system—specimens whose chemical signatures and oxygen isotopes do not match any currently classified meteorite group. Because the Meteoritical Society generally requires at least four other distinct, non-paired finds to establish a new official group, these ungrouped meteorites exist as solitary pioneers, representing unique geological events or parent bodies that remain otherwise unknown to science. Pioneering the Future of Planetary Science Our Rare and Unusual collection is curated for the discerning collector who values scientific rarity. Owning an ungrouped iron or an ungrouped chondrite like the OC3 class is a rare privilege; it means possessing a piece of natural history that stands entirely alone. These are the stones that challenge our existing maps of the solar nebula and often become the "type specimens" for future classifications once more siblings are discovered. Explore our gallery of rare meteorites for sale to find these one-of-a-kind outliers, each one a profound mystery waiting for the rest of its group to be found.