Lot 33
A PIECE OF THE MOON, WORKED INTO A SPHERE
LAAYOUNE 002, 27.070°N, 13.202°W
Auction: 28 May 2026 from 13:00 BST
Description
Specimens of Moon rock are among the rarest substances on Earth, with only around 750 kilograms of confirmed lunar meteorites known to exist. Often termed “lunaite”, the present specimen has been expertly shaped into a sphere, highlighting the natural beauty of its composition.
This remarkable piece is formed from the lunar meteorite Laayoune 002, recovered in the deserts of Western Sahara in January 2022. Classified as a feldspathic breccia, it originates from the Moon’s ancient highlands, representing material from one of the oldest regions of the lunar crust. The primordial surface that dates to around 4.1 - 4.5 billion years ago arose from an early lunar magma ocean. These highlands are most prominently found on the Moon’s far side, the hemisphere often referred to as the “dark side” and recently orbited by the astronauts of Artemis II.
Ejected from the Moon’s surface by a powerful asteroid impact, fragments such as this travelled through space before ultimately falling to Earth. Within the stone are traces of iron material introduced by the original impactor itself, a telling signature of the violent event that launched it to Earth. The matrix is composed of feldspathic breccia, distinguished by bright white anorthite clasts, mineral fragments that formed in the primordial lunar crust during its earliest epochs. Its polished surface reveals a striking interplay of light and texture, bringing out the natural contrast within the stone.
Authenticity is confirmed through classification and registration in the Meteoritical Bulletin (No. 111) as a lunar feldspathic breccia, following analysis by research teams including the University of Washington.
Dimensions
446g
Provenance
From a large mass discovered at Laayoune, Morocco, in January 2022