No writing, no pictures

Meteorites do not fall out of the sky with writing or pictures on them

If you have or find a rock or piece of metal with writing or pictures on it, then it is probably not a meteorite.

These photos were sent by persons inquiring if the objects really are meteorites. Neither of the rocks on the left has a fusion crust, so I have no reason to suspect that they are meteorites. They look like glacial or river cobbles. I do not know why anyone would think the metal thing on the right might be a meteorite.

Exception: Meteorites that have been in private or museum collections will often have identifying catalog numbers written on them.

Top row image credits: Al Mitterling, Martin Horejsi, Anne Black

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