Hammadah al Hamra 346 (“Ghadamis”) – Exceptionally Rare Melt Bubbles on the Oriented Flight Surface - 103.49 g - (1)

Hammadah al Hamra 346 (“Ghadamis”) – – Exceptionally Rare Melt Bubbles on the Oriented Flight Surface


The outstanding feature of this meteorite is immediately visible in the close-up photographs: the oriented flight surface preserves exceptionally well-defined melt bubbles, or vesicles, within the original fusion crust.

High-quality Hammadah al Hamra 346 specimens with fresh, nearly complete fusion crust are occasionally offered. However, pieces that additionally preserve such a pronounced fine vesicular melt structure are extremely rarely seen. This is precisely the exceptional surface feature that makes this individual such a special collector’s specimen.

During its high-speed passage through Earth’s atmosphere, the outermost layer of the stone was intensely heated and briefly melted. On the oriented flight surface, this created a finely vesicular texture with countless tiny bubbles. As the meteorite cooled rapidly, this structure solidified and became permanently preserved within the fusion crust.

In close view, these deep-black areas appear at times glassy, lustrous and almost wet-looking — almost as if the melt had only recently solidified. This extraordinarily fresh appearance makes the dramatic atmospheric flight immediately visible. What you see here is not just an ordinary dark fusion crust, but the actual melting process preserved in a rare and highly distinctive surface texture.

These melt bubbles are not later-formed pores or ordinary weathering features, but part of the original atmospheric surface itself. For experienced collectors in particular, such details are especially desirable, as they document the formation of the fusion crust in an exceptionally vivid and tangible way.

In addition, the meteorite shows the nearly complete, deep-black fusion crust that is characteristic of high-quality Hammadah al Hamra 346 material. Fine, web-like cracks form an attractive craquelure pattern, adding even more depth to the surface. Together with the oriented form, this creates an exceptional combination of:

preserved melt bubbles, a glassy-looking vesicular crust, fine craquelure and a nearly completely preserved atmospheric surface.

Hammadah al Hamra 346 is officially classified as an L6 chondrite with shock stage S5 and weathering grade W0. W0 indicates the remarkably fresh condition of the classified material, while S5 reflects strong collision events on its original parent asteroid.

Its discovery history is equally fascinating: on 26 August 2018, a large fireball was seen and heard over the Jabal al Gharbi region of Libya. Shortly afterwards, numerous exceptionally fresh meteorites with dark fusion crust were found in the same region. A connection with this observed event is considered possible, although it has not been conclusively confirmed. In the meteorite trade, the material is also known under the name “Ghadamis.”

This specimen is therefore not simply another fusion-crusted HaH 346 individual. It preserves a surface feature that is only very rarely offered in such a pronounced form, even within this well-known material.

An exceptional display specimen for discerning collectors — not only with superbly preserved fusion crust, but with visible remnants of the very bubbles that formed while the surface was actually melting during atmospheric entry.




As a member of the International Meteorite Collectors Association – IMCA #7379 and the Global Meteorite Association – GMA #G0117, I guarantee the authenticity of all meteorites I offer.

The meteorite will, of course, be supplied with a corresponding Certificate of Authenticity.

Thank you and good luck with your bidding!

IMCA #7379
GMA #G0117