{"title":"Aubrites","description":"\u003cp\u003eAubrites are enstatite achondrites from a parent body that differentiated under highly reducing conditions — the same unusual chemistry that produced enstatite chondrites. Pale, almost white, and dominated by nearly iron-free enstatite, aubrites are visually distinctive and scientifically unusual. Unless specifically stated in the listing, specimens in this collection are Meteoritical Bulletin classified.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \n\u003ch2\u003eFrom a reducing environment\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost meteorites formed under oxidizing to mildly reducing conditions. Aubrites formed under the most reducing conditions of any differentiated meteorite group — an environment so oxygen-poor that iron remained in metallic form rather than entering silicate minerals. The result is enstatite (MgSiO₃) that is almost completely free of iron, giving aubrites their distinctive pale gray to white color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost aubrites are brecciated, having been disrupted by impacts on their parent body. Fresh surfaces show a light gray, granular texture dominated by coarse enstatite crystals. The unusual mineralogy includes sulfide minerals — oldhamite (CaS), niningerite (MgS), and alabandite (MnS) — that are essentially unique to the reduced enstatite meteorite groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are aubrites white or pale?\u003c\/strong\u003e Because their enstatite is nearly iron-free. In most silicate minerals, iron substitution causes dark coloration. Enstatite that formed under highly reducing conditions contains almost no iron, resulting in a pale mineral and a light-colored meteorite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre these specimens authenticated?\u003c\/strong\u003e Unless specifically stated in the listing title or description, specimens in this collection are Meteoritical Bulletin classified with a direct link to the official record. Every purchase ships with a Treasure Coast Meteorite Co. certificate of authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \n\u003cp\u003eSee also: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/angrites\"\u003eAngrites\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ungrouped-achondrites\"\u003eUngrouped Achondrites\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/what-is-an-achondrite\"\u003eWhat Is an Achondrite?\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/9724\/9839\/collections\/Screenshot_2025-12-05_at_23.10.53.png?v=1766196937","url":"https:\/\/www.tcmeteorites.com\/collections\/aubrites.oembed","provider":"Treasure Coast Meteorite Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}