SKU: 93476418437

NWA 18048 Eucrite-pmict Meteorite Slice, 133.72g, Mirror Polished, HED Achondrite from Vesta

Sale price$238.50 Regular price$265.00
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $66.25 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 30 - Aug 4

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

NWA 18048 Eucrite-pmict Meteorite Slice, 133.72g, Mirror Polished, HED Achondrite from VestaClast boundaries revealed through mirror polish This 133. 72 gram slice of NWA 18048 presents a textural mosaic of eucritic fragments embedded in a darker groundmass. The mirror polish transforms the cut surface into a display of compositional contrasts, where lighter clasts stand against melt rich matrix zones. Boundaries between fragments appear sharp in some areas and diffuse in others, recording different stages of impact mixing and thermal

Clast boundaries revealed through mirror polish

This 133.72-gram slice of NWA 18048 presents a textural mosaic of eucritic fragments embedded in a darker groundmass. The mirror polish transforms the cut surface into a display of compositional contrasts, where lighter clasts stand against melt-rich matrix zones. Boundaries between fragments appear sharp in some areas and diffuse in others, recording different stages of impact mixing and thermal processing.

The specimen's size and finish make the internal architecture immediately legible. Fragment shapes range from angular to subrounded, suggesting variable transport histories before final consolidation. Dark matrix material fills interstitial spaces, creating a framework that holds the clast population together while preserving evidence of the mechanical forces that assembled this breccia.

The polishing reveals subtle color gradations within individual clasts, hinting at mineralogical variation between basaltic components. This level of visual detail transforms the specimen from a geological sample into a readable record of asteroid surface processes.

Structure and features

Polymict texture dominates this specimen, with clast sizes varying from millimeter-scale fragments to larger blocks several centimeters across. The clast population consists primarily of basaltic material with varying grain sizes, reflecting different cooling histories from the parent body's volcanic past.

Matrix material between clasts appears fine-grained and darker than the enclosed fragments. Some matrix zones show flow textures consistent with impact melt, while others display granular character suggesting mechanical mixing of crushed material. The polish brings out these textural differences by eliminating surface roughness that would otherwise obscure subtle structural boundaries.

Certain clasts display internal crystalline structure visible under magnification, while others appear more homogeneous. This variation records the diverse crustal environments that contributed material to this breccia. No fusion crust remains on this interior slice, which was removed from a larger mass during laboratory preparation.

Scientific context

NWA 18048 belongs to the HED achondrite group, a meteorite family tied to asteroid 4 Vesta through spectroscopic data collected by NASA's Dawn mission. Eucrites represent the basaltic crust of this body, formed through volcanic processes after the asteroid differentiated into core, mantle, and crust approximately 4.56 billion years ago.

The polymict classification indicates this specimen formed through regolith processes rather than as a simple igneous rock. Repeated impacts fractured Vesta's surface, mixed crustal fragments, and created layers of debris that were later compacted and lithified. Some polymict eucrites incorporate impact melt, creating a hybrid rock that records both volcanic and collision histories.

This dual record makes polymict eucrites valuable for understanding asteroid surface evolution. They demonstrate how impact cratering reworks planetary crusts, creating new rock types through mechanical and thermal processes. For broader context on meteorite types and formation, see our Learn About Meteorites page.

Frequently asked questions

Is this meteorite authenticated? Yes. NWA 18048 is classified as eucrite-pmict in the Meteoritical Bulletin Database maintained by the Meteoritical Society. You can verify this classification by searching the official database. Each specimen includes a certificate of authenticity documenting its classification and provenance.

What does polymict mean? Polymict (pmict) indicates a brecciated meteorite containing fragments from multiple source rocks. In this eucrite, polymict texture results from impact processes that mixed different basaltic components on Vesta's surface before the material was lithified into a consolidated breccia.

What is included with this specimen? You receive the 133.72g mirror-polished slice and a certificate of authenticity. No display stand is included unless explicitly noted in the product listing.

How is this connected to asteroid Vesta? Spectroscopic observations by NASA's Dawn spacecraft confirmed that Vesta's surface composition matches the HED meteorite group. Eucrites like NWA 18048 are fragments of Vesta's basaltic crust, ejected by impacts and delivered to Earth as meteorites.

Why does the polish matter? Mirror polishing removes surface texture and oxidation, revealing internal structure with maximum clarity. Clast boundaries, matrix composition, and color variations become visible in ways that rough or weathered surfaces cannot show.

Collector significance

Eucrite slices appeal to collectors seeking specimens with clear internal structure and confirmed asteroid origins. The mirror polish on this piece maximizes visual information, making it equally suitable for display and study. At 133.72 grams, the specimen offers substantial size while remaining within accessible price ranges for HED material.

Polymict eucrites occupy a specific niche within collections focused on differentiated bodies. They complement simple eucrites by showing how impact processes rework and complicate igneous rocks. The visible clast population in this specimen provides immediate evidence of that reworking, making the geological story accessible without microscopy.

For collectors building HED suites, polymict eucrites add textural diversity alongside cumulate and basaltic end members. Browse additional specimens from Vesta in our Eucrites and HED Meteorites collections.

Meteoritical Bulletin entry: NWA 18048 | Classification: Eucrite-pmict | Find, Northwest Africa, 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: 93476418437

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.2 ★★★★★
Based on 8 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
N
Verified Purchase
Nancy Ann Hamer
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Pretty Angel but smaller than expected!
Color: White
It was smaller than I expected!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2026
E
Emily
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 3
Cute but…
Color: White, Color: White
I think this is really cute and a good weight. I expected it to be bigger but it’s about the size of squirrel. The product itself was packaged well and arrived with no damage and had some charge to it already that I was able to test it out right away. It has three small lights that light up a warm yellow but are strong enough to highlight the angel. It has a solar strip on the side of it. It’s a very pretty design but one of the first things I noticed was the angels head was dipped so low that I couldn’t see her face without picking up the statue and looking at it or squatting down to get eye level with it.it would have to be displayed on a higher area or an inclined area to get the full effect of its design. I think the price listed is high for the size and material of the product. I would pay $15-18 for this. If the design was larger and the head was lifted up a bit then I would pay the list price of $27.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2025
C
Christina Dobrzykowski
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
So cute.
Color: White
Very well made very detailed love how it lights up. Very cute. Love the chunky face on the angel.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2025
N
Verified Purchase
Nicole Comstock
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
Meaning gift for headstone
Color: White
Beautiful decor for my daughters headstone
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2025
J
Verified Purchase
James Russo
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Beautiful Angel Girl with Birds!!
Just buy it so seeet. I purchased 3 for Morhers day one for my Aunt, one for my sister, and one for myself. Love the pastel colored birds that add color during the day when not lit. Birds light pretty at night I love mine and keep it on a shelf in my screened in porch, so I can enjoy it daily!!!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026

recommand products