Rafsa 005 Angrite Meteorite Slice, Plutonic Angrite, 1.00g, Coarse Igneous Texture

Rafsa 005 Angrite Meteorite Slice, Plutonic Angrite, 1.00g, Coarse Igneous TextureA full cross section of plutonic angrite, 1. 00g slice showing ancient igneous mineralogy This 1. 00g slice of Rafsa 005 provides a complete interior cross section through a plutonic angrite, one of the rarest achondrite types in any collection. The slice format maximizes the exposed surface area, giving a clear view of the coarse grained igneous texture that defines plutonic angrites: large, well developed crystals that grew slowly within the

A full cross-section of plutonic angrite, 1.00g slice showing ancient igneous mineralogy

This 1.00g slice of Rafsa 005 provides a complete interior cross-section through a plutonic angrite, one of the rarest achondrite types in any collection. The slice format maximizes the exposed surface area, giving a clear view of the coarse-grained igneous texture that defines plutonic angrites: large, well-developed crystals that grew slowly within the interior of a differentiated asteroid billions of years ago.

Rafsa 005 was recovered in Algeria in 2023. As a plutonic angrite, it represents deeper crustal or mantle material from the angrite parent body, a world that melted, differentiated, and developed a layered internal structure in the earliest epoch of solar system history.

Structure and features

The slice face reveals the characteristic plutonic texture of this classification. Coarse crystals of kirschsteinite, augite, and anorthite are visible, their grain boundaries and cleavage planes readable under a loupe or macro lens. This mineralogy is essentially diagnostic of angrites, kirschsteinite in particular is an extremely rare calcium-iron olivine found almost exclusively in this meteorite group.

The 1.00g weight puts this slice at the larger end of available Rafsa 005 material, with proportionally more surface area to examine than the 0.70g end cut. Both faces are cut, giving a uniform view across the full cross-section of the specimen.

Scientific context

Angrites occupy a unique position in meteoritics. They are among the oldest dated rocks in the solar system, with some crystallization ages within 4-7 million years of solar system formation. Their strongly oxidized, volatile-depleted chemistry places their parent body in a thermal and compositional environment quite different from the parent bodies of most other achondrite groups.

The plutonic subgroup, to which Rafsa 005 belongs, formed deeper within the parent body than the basaltic angrites, providing a window into the interior structure of this ancient and poorly understood world. Learn more about achondrite classification on our Learn About Meteorites page.

Frequently asked questions

Is this meteorite authenticated? Yes. Rafsa 005 is an officially classified meteorite. See the Meteoritical Bulletin entry for Rafsa 005. This specimen ships with a Treasure Coast Meteorite Co. certificate of authenticity.

How does this slice differ from the 0.70g end cut? The slice shows two cut faces and the full interior cross-section of the meteorite. The end cut preserves one natural exterior surface. The slice provides more interior surface area for examining the igneous texture; the end cut offers a natural exterior view on one side. Both are from the same classified stone.

What does plutonic angrite mean? Angrite is the meteorite group, rare achondrites from a highly oxidized, volatile-depleted parent body. Plutonic means slow crystallization at depth, producing the coarse grain size that distinguishes this subtype from the finer-grained basaltic angrites formed in surface lava flows.

What is included? The 1.00g slice shown, in a display box, with a Treasure Coast Meteorite Co. certificate of authenticity.

Collector significance

Angrites are among the most scientifically significant meteorites a collector can own. The group has fewer than 100 known members, and plutonic angrites are a subset of that already scarce total. Rafsa 005, classified in 2023, represents one of the more recent additions to this group. The slice format makes this specimen particularly suitable for display and examination, with the full interior texture accessible across the cut face.

Browse our Angrites collection or explore all Stony Meteorites.

Meteoritical Bulletin entry: Rafsa 005 | Classification: Angrite (plutonic) | Find, Algeria, 2023