SKU: 43293812601

NWA 17708 Howardite Meteorite Slice, 26.23g, Rippled Fusion Crust on 50% Edge

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Description

NWA 17708 Howardite Meteorite Slice, 26.23g, Rippled Fusion Crust on 50% EdgeRippled fusion crust and impact brecciation from Vesta This 26. 23g howardite slice preserves rippled fusion crust along approximately 50% of its edge surface, documenting atmospheric entry heating from the 2024 Mali recovery. One face shows sanded texture revealing the internal brecciated structure characteristic of howardite composition. The slice displays clasts of contrasting lithologies embedded in a fine grained matrix, physical evidence of

Rippled fusion crust and impact brecciation from Vesta

This 26.23g howardite slice preserves rippled fusion crust along approximately 50% of its edge surface, documenting atmospheric entry heating from the 2024 Mali recovery. One face shows sanded texture revealing the internal brecciated structure characteristic of howardite composition. The slice displays clasts of contrasting lithologies embedded in a fine-grained matrix, physical evidence of impact mixing between eucritic basaltic material and diogenitic orthopyroxene on Vesta's surface.

The specimen measures large enough to observe the relationship between dark eucritic fragments and lighter diogenitic components under magnification. Surface contrast between the rippled fusion crust and the sanded interior face provides clear visualization of both exterior heating effects and interior mechanical mixing processes.

Brecciated structure and weak magnetic signature

The slice exhibits polymict brecciation with angular clasts ranging from submillimeter to several millimeters embedded in a comminuted matrix. This texture results from repeated impact gardening of Vesta's regolith, mechanically mixing debris from both the upper basaltic crust and deeper orthopyroxenite layers. The howardite composition shows very weak to non-existent magnetic response, consistent with HED achondrites formed in an oxidized environment lacking metallic iron.

The sanded face reveals grain boundaries and clast margins where eucritic and diogenitic components meet. Fusion crust rippling along the edge indicates stable orientation during atmospheric passage, with aerodynamic heating creating wavelike surface texture before the meteoroid fragmented.

Scientific context

Howardites form the brecciated component of the HED meteorite suite, which NASA's Dawn mission confirmed originated from asteroid 4 Vesta through spectroscopic matching in 2011-2012. These meteorites sample both the basaltic crust and ultramafic mantle of a differentiated protoplanet that survived intact from the solar system's first 10 million years. Impact events on Vesta excavated deep craters, mixing surface basalts with mantle orthopyroxenites and ejecting the combined debris into Earth-crossing orbits.

NWA 17708 represents material from Vesta's regolith layer, where billions of years of impacts mechanically processed crustal and mantle fragments into the polymict breccia now classified as howardite. The specimen provides direct access to protoplanetary differentiation processes that operated when planets were still forming. Learn About Meteorites for broader context on achondrite formation and classification systems.

Frequently asked questions

Is this meteorite authenticated? NWA 17708 received official howardite classification through the Meteoritical Society's review process. The Meteoritical Bulletin entry: NWA 17708 documents the classification details. This specimen includes a certificate of authenticity from Treasure Coast Meteorite Co.

What does polymict brecciation mean? Polymict indicates the breccia contains fragments from multiple distinct rock types, in this case, both eucritic basalt and diogenitic orthopyroxenite. These components mixed mechanically through impact processes on Vesta's surface rather than melting together, preserving individual clast identities within the matrix.

What is included with this specimen? The listing includes the 26.23g howardite slice, certificate of authenticity from Treasure Coast Meteorite Co., custom specimen card with classification details, and protective gembox display case.

Why does the fusion crust have ripples? Rippled or wavelike fusion crust texture forms when a meteoroid maintains stable orientation during atmospheric entry. Aerodynamic heating creates surface flow patterns in the melted exterior before the meteoroid breaks apart, freezing the ripple pattern as the crust rapidly cools.

Collector significance

Howardites represent less than 8% of all classified meteorite falls, making them substantially less common than ordinary chondrites or iron meteorites. This specimen combines display-quality size at 26.23g with preserved fusion crust, providing both scientific interest and visual appeal. The sanded face allows direct observation of the brecciated interior structure, while the natural fusion-crusted edge documents atmospheric entry processes.

NWA 17708 entered the collection market following 2024 recovery in Mali, offering recent classification data and fresh material for collectors building HED suites. The specimen serves both as a Vesta sample and as documentation of regolith processes on differentiated asteroids. Browse additional confirmed Vesta material in our Howardites collection and explore related specimens in the HED Meteorites category.

Meteoritical Bulletin entry: NWA 17708 | Classification: Howardite | Find, Mali, 2024

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SKU: 43293812601

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SUPAWAT JENUGSON
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
Reliable, affordable, and user-friendly
Size: 13"-34", Style: Single Arm, Size: 13"-34", Style: Single Arm
The installation process was straightforward and didn’t take much time at all—even if you’re not particularly handy, it’s easy to figure out. What really stands out is how flexible the arm is. It adjusts smoothly in multiple directions, making it simple to position my monitor exactly where I want it. Whether I’m working, watching something, or multitasking, the range of motion makes a noticeable difference in comfort and productivity. It’s also very sturdy once set up. My monitor feels secure, and I haven’t experienced any sagging or instability. As a second screen mount, it integrates perfectly with my desk setup and helps keep everything organized and clutter-free.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2026
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Brandon
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Solid Build, Easy Setup
Size: 17"-49", Style: Single Arm
I picked up two of these mounts — one for my 34" curved LG ultrawide and one for my 30" MSI ultrawide — and both have performed exactly as advertised. Build Quality & Value For the price, this thing is built surprisingly well. It feels solid, looks clean on the desk, and doesn't have that cheap, flimsy feel you'd expect at this price point. Genuinely impressed. Assembly & Installation Setup was straightforward. Everything you need comes in the box. The only tool you'll need to grab yourself is a ½" wrench — have that ready before you start and you'll be done in minutes. Mounting Options Two ways to mount it: clamp-on or through-hole (use an existing grommet hole or drill a new one). Both options feel secure once locked down. Sturdiness & Adjustability Once mounted, the arm holds firm. No drooping, no wobble. Repositioning the monitor is smooth and easy — tilt, swivel, height adjustments all work well even with the larger ultrawide panels. One Thing to Watch The tiny limiting screws ship loosely packed inside the arms. They're small and easy to lose if you're not paying attention when you open the box. Dump the contents carefully over a flat surface before digging in. Bottom Line If you're on the fence about a monitor mount, stop overthinking it and grab this one. It handles large ultrawides without breaking a sweat, installs fast, and won't break the bank. Highly recommended.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2026
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Sam B
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 4
Initial thoughts
Size: 13"-34", Style: Single Arm
Getting everything set up took a bit of time and patience. The adjustment system wasn’t the most intuitive at first, and I ran into some confusion while trying to dial in the right positioning. However, after working with it for a while, I was able to get it pretty close to exactly how I wanted it. One thing to note is that making very fine adjustments can be a bit tricky. The mount is also slightly wobbly, and it’s fairly easy to bump the monitor out of position if you’re not careful. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to be aware of if you prefer a perfectly stable setup. That said, the overall construction feels solid and well-made, and once it’s in place, it does its job effectively. For the price and functionality, it’s a reliable option that gets the job done—even if it takes a little effort to get there.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2026
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Ted Pavlic
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
Fantastic upgrade from my original stand. Base is a little bulky, but stand is versatile and sturdy.
Size: Single, Style: Free-Standing, Size: Single, Style: Free-Standing
Amazing value for this stand. I needed a stand with more degrees of freedom than the original one that came with my monitor, and this stand (which was inexpensive relative to the cost of the monitor) was a great purchase. The base of the stand is a little bulky/high, and the soft material on the bottom of it can rub off very easily if you let the stand catch the back edge of your desk. Otherwise though, the stand is extremely easy to install, and it provides far more degrees of freedom for rotation and translation than the original stand for my monitor. Now my monitor is sitting at a comfortable viewing angle closer to my desk tilted slightly upwards toward me. Just keep in mind that you have to tighten down the height and tilt adjustments (the things that would be affected by gravity). So, if you want to adjust those frequently, this stand might not be a great fit for you. That said, it does provide a hidden but easy-to-access spot to store the keys needed to loosen it up to make those adjustments. So, if you need to make those adjustments, you'll always have quick access to the necessary tools. Highly recommended for its price in particular.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2025
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Kid Mars
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
A Solid Monitor Stand
Size: Single, Style: Free-Standing
This is an extremely sturdy monitor stand. Easily assembled in less than 20 minutes. Instructions were simple. The hex tools came with the stand, but you just need a Nr 2 Phillips Screwdriver for the bolts mounting the VESA plate to the monitor. Take note that this stand has a heavy base to hold larger/heavier monitors up to 22 lbs, but does not take a lot of space. I chose this variant so that it could handle my heavy 24-inch Planar monitor. The included cable management clip was a nice touch. Rotation and tilt feature moves easily and has decent range. I'm very happy with my purchase and it was available for overnight shipment in my region.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2025

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