Bir Zar 011 – Complete Angrite Individual (11.93 g)

This exceptional 11.93 g specimen is a complete individual of Bir Zar 011, a rare angrite meteorite officially classified and published in the Meteoritical Bulletin no. 112 (2024)

The meteorite is entirely covered by a fresh, glassy fusion crust, remarkably well preserved and displaying a deep, lustrous black appearance. The surface shows no visible signs of terrestrial alteration, attesting to minimal weathering since its arrival on Earth. Such pristine preservation is particularly uncommon among angrites, which are themselves among the rarest achondrites known.

Bir Zar 011 exhibits the characteristic ophitic igneous texture of gabbroic angrites, formed through rapid crystallization from basaltic magma on a differentiated planetary body. Angrites are believed to originate from an early-formed protoplanet, recording some of the oldest volcanic activity in the Solar System, with crystallization ages exceeding 4.5 billion years.

This specimen preserves its natural external morphology, offering a direct view of how this ancient extraterrestrial rock survived atmospheric entry. Its compact mass and intact fusion crust make it equally suitable for scientific reference, advanced collection, or museum-grade display.

The official Meteoritical Bulletin entry documents Bir Zar 011 as a freshly recovered meteorite from Tunisia, with minimal desert weathering and well-preserved mineralogy, including Al-Ti–rich pyroxenes, olivine, anorthite, and kirschsteinite

An official reference to its classification and description is available here:
👉 https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.cfm?code=80879

NB: Bir Zar 011 stands out among angrites for the exceptional freshness of its fusion crust and the clarity of its mineralogical features. Complete individuals of angrites are rarely available, and specimens of this quality are increasingly sought after by advanced collectors and institutions due to their fundamental importance in understanding early planetary differentiation.