BECAUSE OF its singular, uncharacteristic shape, this natural sculpture from outer space, recovered in Namibia, is valued at $30,000.

Alternately, meteorites from the Sahara that are collected with little or no regard for documentation are referred to as NWAs, as in Northwest Africa, or more derisively, Not Worth Anything. They lack a sense of place, as well as the intriguing histories that often surround a named meteorite, and consequently rarely figure into valuable collections.

Beyond their earthly landings, specimens are also divided by their composition. There are three broad categories of meteorites: stony, iron and stony-iron. Most meteorites proffered for sale are stony specimens called chondrites that are simply bits of asteroids from the belt between Mars and Jupiter. They cost a few cents or few dollars per gram. Rare specimens that are either remarkable in their appearance or in their origin sell from $10 to $20 per gram up to hundreds or thousands of dollars per gram. Pallasites, a type of stony-iron meteorite popular with collectors, look like jeweled stained-glass panels when sliced. Because meteorites often seem unexceptional, collectors must be sure that what they purchase is genuine. Market insiders, however, claim that outright fraud is rare. "I find it interesting that almost everywhere in natural history there are fakes . . . [but] I haven’t really heard of a problem with someone selling a stone and saying it’s a meteorite," says Herskowitz, who also handles fossils and gems. Dealers insist that meteorites are so freely accessible and the community so small that illicit trade is simply not worth the risk.

VALUE JUDGMENT: Meteorite collecting has moved from the quirky surroundings of astronomy clubs and mineral shows to the high end of the collectibles market. The most passionate collectors literally chase meteorites to the ends of the earth. While values have stagnated in recent years because of a deluge of specimens from North Africa, the problem finally seems to be subsiding. The finest examples are still worth far more than their weight in gold.

Divide and Conquer
Even so, collectors are advised to keep to a reputable chain of ownership because meteorite shards spread faster than juicy gossip. Scientists who analyze a new meteorite to establish its chemical content require the finder to sacrifice a portion of the mass. After the Meteoritic Society, the world standards body, approves the find, the specimen may be cut into many smaller pieces, whose new owners may further divide them. Chipping a small piece off a large block for chemical analysis may be palatable when a rock is found, but the expense and loss of valuable material becomes increasingly unfeasible as specimens become smaller.

To find reputable sources and gain access to the best meteorites on the market, Schwade recommends building a collection with the assistance of a good dealer. Buying from a dealer tends to be more affordable than buying a piece at auction. Many collectors augment their assortment by bartering. While one would never dream of cutting up a Picasso or a Duesenberg, it is standard practice with meteorites. "Finding a totally new meteorite, slicing it up and exchanging with museums is an excellent way to grow a collection," says Schwade, who has traded with the British Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian.

Scientific institutions win much of the spoils of official meteorite expeditions, notably to Antarctica, so they often have a wealth of samples. Collectors sometimes trade one of their specimens to a museum in exchange for one of its pieces. Institutions are not as generous as they were a few years ago, however, when many gave away very valuable specimens as trades for pieces of the first Martian and lunar samples to come out of the Sahara, only to have the value of the new specimens drop precipitously.

Unfortunately, even though collectors may own treasured pieces that are worthy of the world’s best museums, securing them also requires museumlike considerations. Climactic concerns must be addressed: Meteorites will rust in humid climates and require special containers. Collectors must also be wary of thieves. These highly portable rocks are prohibitive to insure because underwriting companies are unfamiliar with them, and meteorites acquired in trades are difficult to value. Thus, collectors rely on physical security measures; they have good home security systems and keep their highly prized specimens in vaults or safety deposit boxes. "Insurance companies do not understand the value of meteorites," Schwade points out, "and they seem to charge higher rates than they would for things they understand, like jewelry and art."

Lee Gimpel is a business and technology writer based in Richmond, Va.

Photography courtesy Macovich Collection.

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