Etching an Iron Meteorite
I‘m fond of saying that etching an iron meteorite is part art, and part science. The science is easy, just follow a few steps in order and the etch appears on the meteorite. The art is much more difficult to explain let alone teach.
Watch as I etch this meteorite slice and it goes from ordinary to amazing when its hidden crystalline structure is revealed. Only iron meteorites that are not ataxites will reveal an etch. Octahedrite meteorites often display the most beautiful etches. I particularly like coarse, medium or fine octahedrites because of their beauty and the ease in which they etch.
Pay close attention to how quickly and effortlessly this iron meteorite slice morphs into a much more appealing specimen.
This video is not intended to be a “how to etch an iron meteorite” instead it is meant to be entertaining. It is for this reason that I purposely did not explain what chemicals were being used.