The Los Vientos area of Chile's Atacama desert has been designated as a "dense collection area" by the Meteoritical Society. As such, over 500 classified meteorites of all types have been recovered from this area since 2009. It could be considered the Dhofar or NWA of South America.
This meteorite was recovered in 2017 and was classified as a L6-melt breccia with abundant shock veins, melt pockets, and metal. It is an attractive stone when properly cut and polished.
This specimen offered here is an uncut individual that weighs 70 grams. It has a nice patina of wind-polished desert varnish.
Refer to the photos. The black centimeter cube is shown for scale and is not included. You are purchasing the specimen shown. Your purchase will include an ID label.
From the Meteoritical Bulletin entry on Los Vientos 262 :
Los Vientos 262 (LoV 262) 24°48’36.1’’S, 69°55’12.3’’W
Antofagasta, Chile
Find: 2017 Nov
Classification: Ordinary chondrite (L6, melt breccia)
Physical characteristics: Brecciated chondrite with abundant shock veins and cm size melt pockets. The melt pockets contain abundant µm sized FeS/FeNi eutectic droplets. Plagioclase size >50 μm.
Petrography: Equilibrated chondritic clast set in a melt rock matrix with abundant opaque droplets 10 μm in size.
Specimens: Type specimen 25.58 g at CEREGE. Main mass with ARTMET.
