{"product_id":"laayoune-002-lunar-meteorite-feldspathic-breccia","title":"Laâyoune 002 Lunar Meteorite, Feldspathic Breccia, Select Size","description":"\u003ch2\u003eCertified Moon rock in three sizes, each piece a fragment of the lunar highlands\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLaâyoune 002 is a classified lunar meteorite recovered from Western Sahara in 2022. As a feldspathic breccia, it originates from the ancient highland crust of the Moon, the pale, heavily cratered terrain that covers most of the lunar surface and represents some of the oldest crustal material in the solar system. Each specimen is housed in a compact display case with a custom specimen card showing the actual weight of the piece you receive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSelect your size\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach size carries a guaranteed minimum weight. You will receive a specimen at or above the minimum for the size selected. Photos shown are representative examples from actual inventory. Because every piece of lunar breccia is heterogeneous by nature, surface texture, color, and clast distribution vary between specimens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSize\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMinimum Weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePrice\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.10g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e$35.00\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMedium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.25g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e$40.00\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.50g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e$45.00\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eStructure and features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeldspathic breccias are among the most geologically complex meteorite types. Breccia describes a rock assembled from fragments of earlier rocks, cemented together by impact-generated heat and pressure. In the case of Laâyoune 002, those fragments are predominantly feldspar-rich material from the lunar highlands, pale, calcium-rich plagioclase that crystallized when the Moon's magma ocean solidified over four billion years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder magnification, the brecciated texture is immediately apparent: angular clasts of varying size and composition embedded in a fine-grained matrix of crushed and partially melted material. The overall color is light gray to off-white, typical of highland-derived lunar material with low iron and magnesium content relative to mare basalts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eScientific context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLunar meteorites are ejected from the Moon by large impacts that accelerate material above lunar escape velocity. Laâyoune 002 is classified as a lunar feldspathic breccia, placing it among the materials representing the Moon's original anorthositic crust, some of the oldest planetary material recoverable on Earth. This type of lunar material is less common in meteorite collections than mare basalts. Learn more on our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/learn-about-meteorites\"\u003eLearn About Meteorites\u003c\/a\u003e page.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this meteorite authenticated?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. Laâyoune 002 is an officially classified lunar meteorite. See the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lpi.usra.edu\/meteor\/metbull.cfm?code=77253\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMeteoritical Bulletin entry for Laâyoune 002\u003c\/a\u003e. Every specimen includes a Treasure Coast Meteorite Co. certificate of authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does feldspathic breccia mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e Feldspathic means the rock is dominated by feldspar minerals, specifically the calcium-rich plagioclase that makes up the Moon's ancient highland crust. Breccia means the rock is an impact-assembled mixture of older rock fragments. Together, the classification indicates ancient crustal material shattered and reassembled by repeated impacts over billions of years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is included?\u003c\/strong\u003e Your selected size specimen in a display box, a custom specimen card with the actual weight, and a Treasure Coast Meteorite Co. certificate of authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCollector significance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCertified lunar material is among the most sought-after specimens in meteorite collecting. Laâyoune 002 offers collectors access to genuine Moon rock at multiple price points, with documented classification and proper certification. The feldspathic breccia classification places it among the older, geologically more complex lunar materials, a meaningful distinction for collectors building a scientifically representative lunar collection. Browse our full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lunar-meteorites\"\u003eLunar Meteorites collection\u003c\/a\u003e for additional specimens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeteoritical Bulletin entry: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lpi.usra.edu\/meteor\/metbull.cfm?code=77253\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eLaâyoune 002\u003c\/a\u003e | Classification: Lunar (feldspathic breccia) | Find, Western Sahara, 2022\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Treasure Coast Meteorite Co.","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":44733012836399,"sku":"LAAYOUNE-002-0.10G-INDIVIDUAL","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":44733012869167,"sku":"LAAYOUNE-002-0.25G-INDIVIDUAL","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large","offer_id":44733012901935,"sku":"LAAYOUNE-002-0.50G-INDIVIDUAL","price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/9724\/9839\/files\/laayoune-002-lunar-meteorite-slice-display-box-10.heic?v=1779331625","url":"https:\/\/www.tcmeteorites.com\/products\/laayoune-002-lunar-meteorite-feldspathic-breccia","provider":"Treasure Coast Meteorite Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}