What Is Meteorite Jewelry?

What Is Meteorite Jewelry? A Quick Guide

Meteorite jewelry is any design that incorporates real meteorite material, which has been harvested from space debris that’s fallen to Earth.

Humans have retrieved meteorites for use in jewelry and décor since ancient times, but meteorite jewelry is not that popular today, at least not when compared to the many other precious materials available. However, if you’re looking for an incredibly unique piece, meteorite jewelry just might be the thing.

Here’s everything you need to know about meteorite jewelry, including how it’s sourced, where to find it, why protecting it is important, and how to decide whether or not the look is right for you.

How Are Meteorites Used in Jewelry?

Meteorites can be used in jewelry in two primary ways, either cut into cross sections and inlaid into pieces such as watch dials, pendants, or cufflinks, or mounted in small pieces similar to gemstones on rings, bracelets, earrings, etc.

Historically, various metaphysical properties have been attributed to meteorites, including strength, purity, magical powers, and healing properties. But even if you don’t believe in attributing such properties to your jewelry, it’s easy to admit that meteorites come with a certain degree of mysticism. You’re literally wearing a material formed in the vast expanse of space!

Types of Meteorites

There are three types of meteorites, including:

1. Stony meteorites, which feature a high degree of silica
2. Iron meteorites, which contain iron but also other metals such as nickel and cobalt
3. Stony-iron meteorites, which are a bit of a blend between the two and highly collectible

Furthermore, meteorites can be broken down according to where they were found, with many of the types used in jewelry connected to a specific place, referred to as a “fall” or a “find.”

What’s the Difference Between a Meteorite “Fall” and a Meteorite “Find”?

If the material was recovered in relation to a meteorite fall, it means that the meteorite’s trajectory through the atmosphere was tracked so that collectors could scoop it up as soon as the materials hit the ground. Meanwhile, a meteorite find means that collectors just happened to stumble across the material that fell at some undetermined time in the past.

Some of the Named Meteorites Used for Jewelry

The Gibeon Meteorite

The Gibeon Meteorite was discovered in Namibia in the early 1800s. An iron meteorite, it features a beautiful pattern that makes it a favorite for jewelers.

The Muonionalusta Meteorite

This meteorite was found near the Sweden-Finland border in 1906, and is estimated to be more than 4 billion years old. The iron material here is similar in appearance to the Gibeon meteorite.

The Seymchan Meteorite

Discovered in the 1960s in Russia, the Seymchan meteorite is a stony-iron meteorite.

The Campo del Cielo Meteorite

Discovered in Buenos Aires, “Campo del Cielo” refers to a group of iron meteorites that were first recorded in the late 1500s. However, even prior to that, native populations in the area were well aware of the meteorites’ existence and incorporated the material into worship as well as weapons-making.

The Sikhote-Alin Meteorite

This meteorite fell to the earth in Russia in 1947. As it entered the atmosphere, it exploded and broke down into various pieces that are now used in jewelry making.

The Muonionalusta Meteorite

Lastly, this meteorite is the oldest known to man. It contains a rare mineral known as stishovite and was discovered in Scandinavia. It clocks in at more than 4.5 billion years old.

How to Care for Meteorite Jewelry

Meteorite jewelry requires special care considerations, in part due to the material’s iron content, which necessitates that you specifically avoid water and humidity in order to prevent rust.

When wearing your meteorite jewelry, remove it before completing any task that may expose the jewelry to water, including washing your hands. Additionally, invest in proper jewelry storage that will keep your meteorite jewelry dry. Avoid storage in high-humidity spaces.

If you ever feel the need to clean your meteorite jewelry, such as if it’s beginning to dull, refrain from washing it with water, even if you’re just using a simple dish soap and water solution. Instead, use a dry jewelry cloth to wipe away any build-up and polish the piece back to perfection. If that isn’t sufficient, take your piece to a jewelry professional.

Meteorite Jewelry Vs. Moldavite Jewelry

If you’ve ever read up on moldavite jewelry, you may be scratching your head, thinking that it’s one and the same with meteorite jewelry. The difference is that meteorite jewelry is made from actual meteor material that fell from space, whereas moldavite refers to a glass-like substance that forms during a meteor’s impact.

Moldavite definitely has its own attractive qualities and is similarly rare and unique. But moldavite’s appearance is very different from that of a meteorite. Whereas a meteorite has a dark, metallic appearance, moldavite is a translucent, green stone.

Real Vs. Fake Meteorite Jewelry

There are a few tell-tale signs that a piece of meteorite jewelry is a fake:

• It has uniform patterns unlike those that you would see in nature
• The patterns have raised textures, which are not normal for real meteorite
• It’s very lightweight jewelry (since real meteorite is generally on the heavier side)
• It’s not magnetic (the iron in meteorites makes it magnetic)
• It’s not susceptible to rust (again, the iron in meteorite makes it susceptible to rust)

Additionally, while meteorite jewelry may not be as expensive as, say, a diamond, it’s still going to cost a few hundred dollars for a piece, on average. And some pieces stretch into the thousands, depending on other materials used. If a piece of meteorite jewelry is priced at under $50, chances are likely that it’s fake.

Should You Buy Meteorite Jewelry?

Whether or not meteorite jewelry is right for you will depend on factors such as your budget, durability needs, any resale plans, and whether or not you have a nickel allergy.

Meteorite Jewelry Pros

• Meteorite is a very unique jewelry material with a lot of potential symbolism.
• Meteorite is more affordable than some other materials, such as traditional precious gemstones.
• Meteorite jewelry can be considered a collectible.

Meteorite Jewelry Cons

• Meteorite jewelry does require special care, such as avoiding water to prevent rusting.
• If you’re looking at resale value, meteorite jewelry may not hold its value or increase in value, long-term, like diamond or gold.
• Depending on the design, meteorite jewelry may irritate those with nickel allergies.

Meteorite Jewelry FAQs

Where Can You Buy Meteorite Jewelry?

While meteorite jewelry may not be as popular in chain jewelry stores, you can purchase it from online retailers, as well from independent jewelry makers.

Is It Safe to Wear Meteorite Jewelry?

Yes, so long as you do not have a nickel allergy, meteorite jewelry is completely safe to wear.

What’s the Difference Between a Meteor, Meteorite, and Meteoroid?

“Meteoroid” refers to the rocky material while it’s traveling through space, the “meteor” is the light you see when that meteoroid begins burning in the atmosphere, and the “meteorite” is what the meteoroid becomes when it hits the ground.

Can Meteorite Jewelry Get Wet?

You should avoid getting your meteorite jewelry wet, as the iron content makes it susceptible to rust.

Do Meteorites Set Off Metal Detectors?

Yes, because meteorites contain metals like iron, they will set off metal detectors.

Protect Your Meteorite Jewelry with Comprehensive Jewelry Insurance

If you decide to purchase a piece of meteorite jewelry, make sure it’s protected from accidental damage, loss, and theft, with a comprehensive, specialized jewelry insurance policy.

BriteCo is here to help, every step of the way — starting with providing you with a free, quick jewelry insurance quote.

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