SKU: 41989605877

NWA 17496 L3 Chondrite Meteorite End Cut, 21.75g, Riker Display Case, Primitive Unequilibrated

Sale price$85.50 Regular price$95.00
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $23.75 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 6 - Aug 11

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

NWA 17496 L3 Chondrite Meteorite End Cut, 21.75g, Riker Display Case, Primitive UnequilibratedPrimitive solar system material in display ready format This 21. 75g polished end cut from NWA 17496 exposes the internal architecture of an L3 ordinary chondrite recovered from Algeria in 2024. The polished surface reveals well preserved chondrules suspended in a fine grained matrix, documenting conditions in the early solar nebula before planetary differentiation began. The end cut geometry provides a cross sectional view through the meteorite's

Primitive solar system material in display-ready format

This 21.75g polished end cut from NWA 17496 exposes the internal architecture of an L3 ordinary chondrite recovered from Algeria in 2024. The polished surface reveals well-preserved chondrules suspended in a fine-grained matrix, documenting conditions in the early solar nebula before planetary differentiation began. The end cut geometry provides a cross-sectional view through the meteorite's structure while preserving the natural exterior along the specimen's edges.

The included riker display case positions this specimen for immediate presentation without requiring additional mounting hardware. The shallow case depth and transparent cover protect the polished surface while maintaining visual access to the chondrule distribution and matrix textures that characterize primitive chondritic material.

Chondrule preservation and matrix structure

The polished face displays individual chondrules ranging from sub-millimeter to several millimeters in diameter, each representing a discrete melting event in the solar nebula 4.567 billion years ago. The Type 3 classification confirms these spherules retain their original compositions and boundaries without the thermal metamorphism that would homogenize their chemistry in higher petrologic types.

The matrix surrounding the chondrules consists of fine-grained silicate minerals, metal grains, and sulfides that accreted in the cooler regions of the protoplanetary disk. This unequilibrated texture preserves chemical and mineralogical gradients that were erased in more thermally processed meteorites, making L3 chondrites valuable records of nebular conditions before parent body assembly.

Scientific context

L chondrites formed in the asteroid belt from material that accreted before planets completed their growth. The "L" designation indicates low total iron content (19-22% by mass) compared to H and LL chondrite groups, reflecting formation in a region of the nebula with reduced metal abundance. Type 3 specimens like NWA 17496 experienced minimal heating after accretion, preserving original textures that were destroyed in chondrites that underwent parent body metamorphism.

The preservation of distinct chondrules and unequilibrated mineral compositions makes Type 3 chondrites critical for understanding nebular processes. These specimens retain isotopic and chemical heterogeneities present in the earliest solid materials, providing constraints on the temperature, pressure, and timescales of dust aggregation in the protoplanetary disk. Learn About Meteorites for additional context on chondrite formation and classification.

Frequently asked questions

Is this meteorite authenticated? NWA 17496 is classified in the Meteoritical Bulletin as an L3 ordinary chondrite. You can verify this classification through the Meteoritical Bulletin database. This specimen includes a certificate of authenticity documenting its classification and provenance.

What does "unequilibrated" mean for Type 3 chondrites? Unequilibrated indicates the meteorite never experienced temperatures high enough to homogenize the chemical compositions of its minerals. Individual chondrules retain distinct compositions, and olivine grains show variable iron-magnesium ratios rather than the uniform chemistry seen in equilibrated (Type 4-6) chondrites. This preservation of original chemical gradients makes Type 3 specimens valuable for studying nebular conditions.

What is included with this specimen? You receive the 21.75g polished end cut presented in a protective riker display case and a certificate of authenticity confirming the classification and specimen details.

How does the L group differ from H and LL chondrites? The L (low iron) group contains 19-22% total iron by mass, intermediate between the H (high iron, 25-31%) and LL (low iron, low metal, 10-19%) groups. This iron content reflects the oxidation state and metal abundance in the nebular region where L chondrite parent bodies formed, approximately 2.8 AU from the sun based on orbital mechanics of recovered L chondrite falls.

Display-ready specimen for collectors and educators

The polished end cut format optimizes visibility of internal structures while the riker case provides immediate display capability without additional preparation. The 21.75g mass represents a size that clearly shows chondrule distribution and matrix textures without requiring magnification for initial examination, though detailed inspection reveals additional fine-scale features.

Type 3 chondrites occupy a specific position in collections focused on primitive materials or systematic representations of chondrite petrologic types. The unequilibrated nature of this specimen contrasts with the metamorphosed textures of higher-type ordinary chondrites, illustrating the range of thermal histories experienced by asteroidal parent bodies. Browse additional primitive specimens in our Chondrites collection.

Meteoritical Bulletin entry: NWA 17496 | Classification: L3 Ordinary Chondrite | Find, Algeria, 2024

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 41989605877

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.5 ★★★★★
Based on 20 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
A
Verified Purchase
Andrea Brunetti
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
A good set of products for bathing a newborn.
Scent: Lavender Rosemary - Standard Size
The new mom I gave this to really liked them.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2026
E
Verified Purchase
Emma
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Yes!
Scent: Fragrance-Free - Standard Size
Clean baby products that work well! So far we’ve loved everything Tubby Todd! It’s on the more expensive side, but totally worth it when considering products used on babies.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2026
T
Verified Purchase
Tracy
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
A splurge but worth it!
Scent: Fragrance-Free - Standard Size
So nice for newborn skin! I bought it for my daughters baby shower and she loves it!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026
R
Verified Purchase
Rosu
Boise, US
★★★★★ 4
Fantastic natural ingredients, but the diaper cream falls short on actual rashes.
Scent: Lavender Rosemary - Standard Size
I purchased the Tubby Todd Baby Skin Care Bundle because I really value that it uses great all-natural ingredients and is free of harsh chemicals. For the most part, I’ve been very happy with the quality. What I loved: The Ingredients: It feels great using products that are clean and safe for baby skin. Hair + Body Wash: The soap/shampoo combo is gentle and works well. All Over Ointment: This is a staple; it’s excellent for dry skin and general moisturizing. The downside: I had to dock one star specifically for the Diaper Paste. While I wanted to love it, it just didn't help when my baby had an actual diaper rash. It might be fine for prevention, but it wasn't effective for treatment. I eventually switched to A+D Diaper Rash Cream, and it completely cured the rashes in no time. Verdict: I would still recommend this bundle for the shampoo and the All Over Ointment, but I suggest keeping a tube of A+D on hand for when you need heavy-duty rash relief.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2026
K
Verified Purchase
Kimberly Gray
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
WILL USE NOTHING ELSE
Scent: Fragrance-Free - Standard Size
Cannot recommend these products enough. My girls have sensitive skin and eczema. Dry patches, gone after a day with the everyday ointment. Eczema break out, gone the next day after applying twice. Diaper cream is the only cream I use when the diaper rash is bad and nothing else works. I try to use sparingly as it is more on the pricier side, so use only when I see a rash starting and not everyday use, but easily could if not worried about the price point. The soap is the only soap we have used. Last a long time, I have twin girls and we just finished our first container of soap that lasted us 5 months.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2025

recommand products