NWA 17418 Diogenite Meteorite
17.840 Gram Endcut | HED Achondrite | Vesta Material
Description
Offered here is a 17.840 gram endcut of Northwest Africa 17418 (NWA 17418), a rare Diogenite meteorite belonging to the HED clan of achondrites. This specimen presents a beautiful cut face revealing the coarse crystalline structure typical of orthopyroxenite meteorites formed deep within an asteroid.
The interior displays a striking interlocking crystal texture, formed as molten rock slowly cooled within the crust of its parent body billions of years ago. Diogenites are prized by collectors for their distinctive mineralogy and their direct connection to asteroid 4 Vesta, one of the largest bodies in the asteroid belt.
This particular specimen was purchased in August 2024 from meteorite dealer Adam Aaronson, adding documented provenance to this scientifically significant piece.
Meteorite Information
Meteorite Name: Northwest Africa 17418 (NWA 17418)
Classification: HED Achondrite – Diogenite
Location Found: Tunisia
Find Year: 2024
Specimen Type: Endcut
Weight: 17.840 grams
Purchased: August 2024
Source: Adam Aaronson
Discovery
NWA 17418 was recovered in Tunisia and purchased by Adam Aaronson from a meteorite dealer in Ksar Ghilane, Tunisia in August 2024. A sample was subsequently submitted for scientific analysis and classification.
A total of 31.8 grams of material has been documented for study, including a polished thin section retained at the University of Washington, with the remaining material held by Aaronson.
The extremely limited amount of known material makes this meteorite particularly desirable to collectors.
Petrography
(A. Irving, University of Washington; P. Carpenter, Washington University in St. Louis)
Petrographic analysis reveals that NWA 17418 is a polycrystalline orthopyroxenite, composed primarily of interlocking anhedral grains of orthopyroxene with an average grain size of approximately 1 mm.
Additional mineral phases include:
• Silica polymorph
• Calcic plagioclase (bytownite)
• Low-titanium chromite
• Troilite
The orthopyroxene crystals are undeformed, indicating relatively stable crystallization conditions within the parent body's crust.
Geochemistry
Chemical analysis of the primary minerals reveals compositions consistent with known diogenite meteorites:
Orthopyroxene:
Fs23.8–24.2 Wo2.7–2.8
FeO/MnO ratio: 27–30
Plagioclase:
An71.5–72.8 Or0.8–1.0
These compositions confirm its classification as a diogenite, part of the HED meteorite group.
Origin – Asteroid Vesta
Diogenites belong to the HED meteorite clan (Howardites, Eucrites, and Diogenites), which are widely believed to originate from the differentiated asteroid 4 Vesta.
These meteorites formed deep within the crust or mantle of this early protoplanet and were later excavated by massive impact events that ejected fragments into space. Some of these fragments eventually reached Earth as meteorites.
Because of this connection, diogenites provide a direct sample of planetary crust formation outside Earth.
Collector Significance
Diogenites are among the most visually distinctive achondrites, composed largely of orthopyroxene crystals that formed deep within a differentiated asteroid.
This 17.840 gram endcut of NWA 17418 represents a rare and scientifically important fragment of an ancient protoplanet, offering collectors a tangible connection to the early formation of the solar system.
With limited known material and documented provenance, this specimen makes an exceptional addition to any serious meteorite collection.
Authentication & Seller Information
This specimen is offered by Streaming Meteorites and includes:
• A signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
• Lifetime authenticity guarantee
• Professionally identified and documented material
• Secure and protective packaging
All meteorites offered by Streaming Meteorites are represented accurately and backed by proper classification and documented provenance.
A rare and unique diogenite specimen, representing deep crustal material from one of the earliest planetary bodies in our solar system.