Howardites

Howardites are polymict breccias from the surface of asteroid 4 Vesta, the second largest body in the asteroid belt. They are mixtures of eucrite and diogenite material produced by repeated impact cratering, with rare clasts from impactors mixed in. Unless specifically stated in the listing, specimens in this collection are Meteoritical Bulletin classified.

How we verify howardites are real

Every specimen is tied to a Meteoritical Bulletin entry, the official global registry of classified meteorites maintained by the Meteoritical Society. Vesta origin is confirmed through oxygen isotope ratios, pyroxene chemistry, and reflectance spectra that match measurements made directly at Vesta by NASA's Dawn mission. The Bulletin record is the definitive proof of authenticity. Read more: The Meteoritical Bulletin Explained.

A regolith breccia from Vesta

Howardites form on Vesta's surface as impacts churn together fragments from different depths and source rocks. Most howardites contain a roughly even mix of eucritic basalt clasts and diogenite pyroxene-rich clasts, plus minor exotic material. They are the closest analogue we have to a lunar-style regolith from any asteroid.

Because howardites are by definition impact mixtures, they often preserve evidence of multiple shock events, including melt veins and impact melt clasts. Some contain trapped solar wind gases, which means they were once at the very top of Vesta's regolith.

Frequently asked questions

How do howardites differ from eucrites and diogenites? Eucrites are basaltic surface lava flows. Diogenites are coarse orthopyroxenites from depth. Howardites are mixed breccias of both, produced by surface impacts on Vesta. Read more: HED Meteorites.

Are howardites magnetic? Howardites contain little metallic iron and are typically not noticeably magnetic. Read more: Are Meteorites Magnetic?

How can I tell a howardite is real? Authentic howardites have a Meteoritical Bulletin entry, ship with documentation, and show characteristic brecciated texture with mixed light and dark clasts visible on a cut surface. Read more: How Can You Tell if a Meteorite Is Real?

What makes howardite slices visually distinctive? Polished howardite slices reveal clasts of multiple Vesta lithologies side by side, often in striking contrast: pale gray to greenish diogenite fragments alongside darker eucritic basalt clasts in a fine-grained matrix. Read more: How Much Do Meteorites Cost?

Are these specimens authenticated? Unless otherwise noted, every howardite here has a Meteoritical Bulletin record and ships with a Treasure Coast Meteorite Co. certificate of authenticity.

See also: Eucrites · Diogenites · HED Meteorites · Stony Meteorites · What Is an Achondrite? · Are Meteorites Illegal to Own?