Aerolite Meteorites, Inc
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc. is a privately held D2C e-commerce retailer founded in 1994 and based in Benson, Arizona, selling over 2,000 authenticated meteorites, meteorite jewelry, and educational materials to collectors, gift buyers, hunters, and museums worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersTucson, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Aerolite Meteorites, Inc does
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc. is a privately held, direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer of authenticated meteorites and related products, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Benson, Arizona. The company sells more than 2,054 SKUs spanning stone, iron, stony-iron, lunar, and Martian meteorites, plus tektites, impactites, meteorite jewelry, display accessories, hunting equipment, books, and educational videos through its website, aerolite.org. Its core technical capability is meteorite authentication and scientific classification, performed in collaboration with academic institutions including the University of Arizona, Arizona State University's Buseck Center for Meteorite Studies, the University of Oklahoma, and the Institute of Meteoritics in Albuquerque. Each specimen is documented with classification codes, find/fall history, weight, and provenance.
The business operates a one-time-sale revenue model with per-unit pricing ranging from under $10 for small fragments and educational guides to over $15,000 for rare high-end specimens such as the Aguas Zarcas 64.1g at $15,064. Customer segments include individual collectors, gift buyers, hunters, and institutional buyers such as museums and universities, with international shipping supported. Marketing is conducted primarily through on-site SEO, an educational blog, the Meteorite Minute video series, and detailed product catalog copy that doubles as scientific content. The firm has been involved in naming and culturally contextualizing significant finds, such as the Mvskoke Merkv meteorite in collaboration with the Muscogee Nation, and has donated specimens to academic and indigenous stakeholders, reinforcing its position at the intersection of retail and meteoritics research.
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aerolite Meteorites, Inc
- Legal name
- Aerolite Meteorites, Inc.
- Website
- https://aerolite.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Aerolite Meteorites, Inc. is a privately held D2C e-commerce retailer founded in 1994 and based in Benson, Arizona, selling over 2,000 authenticated meteorites, meteorite jewelry, and educational materials to collectors, gift buyers, hunters, and museums worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Collectibles Retail
- NAICS
- Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers (459)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Vintage & Antique Collectibles Retail (CRALAGAE)
Keywords
Where Aerolite Meteorites, Inc is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tucson
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Meteorite Sales: One-time sale of authenticated meteorite specimens including stone, iron, stony-iron, lunar, and Mars meteorites. Prices range from under $10 for small fragments to thousands of dollars for rare specimens. The company offers individual specimens, slices, and end-cuts at varying price points based on rarity, size, and provenance.
- Meteorite Jewelry and Gifts: Sale of meteorite-themed jewelry including rings, pendants, and other gift items. Also includes display stands, collectible boxes, and hunting equipment for collectors.
- Educational Products and Books: Sale of educational materials including the Meteorite Field Testing Guide ($1.99), Meteorite Hunting: How To Find Treasure From Space eBook ($9.99), and the Downloadable Version of The Expert Video Guide to Meteorite Identification ($9.95).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Meteorite Specimens |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Rare and High-End Meteorites |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Books and Educational Guides |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Display Accessories |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | New Arrivals and Recent Finds |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc. sells authenticated meteorite specimens (stone, iron, stony-iron, lunar, and Mars meteorites, plus impactites and tektites), meteorite jewelry, display stands and collectible boxes, meteorite hunting equipment, and educational books and videos. Every specimen is meticulously researched and classified to meteoritical standards, often in collaboration with university research institutions. The company distributes primarily through its own e-commerce website (aerolite.org) with worldwide shipping.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Stone Meteorites A browseable category of stone meteorite specimens available for sale to individual collectors, museums, and educational institutions. Pricing varies per specimen based on rarity, weight, classification, and provenance.
- Iron Meteorites Iron meteorite specimens sold individually to collectors and institutions, with documented provenance and scientific classification.
- Stony-Iron Meteorites Stony-iron meteorite specimens (including pallasites) sold individually to collectors and institutions, with provenance and classification details.
- Lunar Meteorites Lunar meteorite specimens sold individually to collectors and institutions, with verified provenance and scientific classification.
- Mars Meteorites Mars (SNC) meteorite specimens sold individually to collectors and institutions, with documented provenance and scientific classification.
- Impactites, Tektites and Natural Glass Impactites, tektites (including moldavite), and natural glass specimens sold individually to collectors and hobbyists.
- High End Meteorites Premium-tier meteorite specimens including rare carbonaceous chondrites and significant witnessed falls, with prices in the thousands of dollars.
- Historic Meteorites Historically significant meteorites with documented provenance, sold to collectors and institutions.
- Meteorite Jewelry Meteorite-themed jewelry items including rings and pendants sold to consumers for personal wear and gifting.
- Meteorite Collectors' Boxes Display and storage boxes for meteorite collectors to house and present individual specimens.
- Display Stands Display stands for presenting meteorite specimens, priced between $1.00 and $7.95 per unit.
- Meteorite Hunting Equipment Equipment and tools for hobbyist meteorite hunters pursuing field collection, sold to individual hobbyists.
- Books and Videos Educational books and videos about meteorite identification and hunting, including the Meteorite Field Testing Guide ($1.99), Meteorite Hunting: How To Find Treasure From Space eBook ($9.99), and the Downloadable Version of The Expert Video Guide to Meteorite Identification ($9.95).
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 2,000 authenticated meteorite specimens available for purchase across multiple classifications
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Aerolite Meteorites, Inc
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of ArizonacoreThe University of Arizona team worked on classifying significant meteorites. The company references collaboration with university scientists for meteorite classification and identification. Dr. Elbert King, who designed NASA's Lunar Receiving Lab during Apollo, traveled to study Allende after its 1969 fall.
- Arizona State University (Buseck Center for Meteorite Studies)coreAerolite worked with ASU's Buseck Center for Meteorite Studies for classification and study of the Mvskoke Merkv meteorite. The company donated specimens for classification and study purposes.
- University of OklahomacoreThe University of Oklahoma acquired a 260.3-gram specimen of the Mvskoke Merkv meteorite from Aerolite for public display. The company worked with OU to ensure a full slice was donated back to the Muscogee Nation.
- Institute of Meteoritics (Albuquerque, NM)coreAerolite Meteorites works with the Institute of Meteoritics in Albuquerque, NM for official meteorite classifications. NWA 11342 was classified through this institution.
- Muscogee NationcoreAerolite collaborated with the Muscogee Nation to officially name the meteorite discovered in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The Nation suggested the name 'Merkv' meaning 'blessings' in their language. Aerolite donated a specimen slice back to the Nation and worked with OU and ASU to ensure proper cultural recognition.
- Tulane UniversityminorTulane University (S. Nelson) was involved in describing and classifying the New Orleans meteorite that fell in 2003.
- R.A. Langheinrich Meteorites (Allan Lang)minorAllan Lang of R.A. Langheinrich Meteorites acquired and prepared the Dar al Gani 521 meteorite specimen and has traded with researchers worldwide.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Robert Haag Meteorites: Robert Haag is one of the most established private meteorite dealers worldwide, selling authenticated specimens, slices, and rare falls direct to collectors. Directly comparable to Aerolite as a DTC e-commerce meteorite retailer serving collectors and institutions.
- Starstruck Meteorites: Starstruck Meteorites is a US-based meteorite dealer offering specimens, tektites, and impact glass to collectors and educators. Direct competitor in the same authenticated-specimen DTC category.
- Heaven & Earth Meteorites: Heaven & Earth sells authenticated meteorites and meteorite jewelry online to collectors and gift buyers. Direct peer given overlapping catalog (specimens + jewelry) and DTC e-commerce model.
- Luc Labenne Meteorites: Luc Labenne is a prominent French meteorite dealer supplying authenticated specimens and rare falls to collectors, museums, and scientists globally. Same business model (DTC authenticated meteorite sales) and customer overlap as Aerolite.
- Galactic Stone & Ironworks: Galactic Stone & Ironworks is a US-based meteorite dealer selling slices, end-cuts, and whole specimens to collectors and jewelers. Highly comparable to Aerolite's DTC specimen and slice offering with overlapping buyer base.
- Meteorite Market: Meteorite Market is an online retailer offering a broad catalog of authenticated stone, iron, and pallasite meteorites. Direct competitor in the DTC authenticated meteorite e-commerce category where Aerolite operates.
- R.A. Langheinrich Meteorites: R.A. Langheinrich Meteorites (Allan Lang) is an established meteorite dealer and preparator active in trading and classification work. Already noted as a channel partner of Aerolite and a direct peer in the authenticated-specimen dealer market.
Regional players
- UK Meteorites: UK Meteorites is a UK-based dealer selling authenticated meteorites and offering educational resources. Comparable product set and collector audience, but primarily serves UK/European customers rather than competing head-to-head in Aerolite's core US market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc social profiles
Digital presenceAerolite Meteorites, Inc financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aerolite Meteorites, Inc
What does Aerolite Meteorites, Inc do?
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc. sells authenticated meteorite specimens (stone, iron, stony-iron, lunar, and Mars meteorites, plus impactites and tektites), meteorite jewelry, display stands and collectible boxes, meteorite hunting equipment, and educational books and videos. Every specimen is meticulously researched and classified to meteoritical standards, often in collaboration with university research institutions. The company distributes primarily through its own e-commerce website (aerolite.org) with worldwide shipping.
Is Aerolite Meteorites, Inc a public or private company?
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Aerolite Meteorites, Inc founded?
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc was founded in 1994. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Aerolite Meteorites, Inc based?
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc is headquartered in Tucson, United States, in the North America region.
How does Aerolite Meteorites, Inc make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Meteorite Sales are the primary driver. The others are meteorite Jewelry and Gifts and educational Products and Books.
Who are Aerolite Meteorites, Inc's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Robert Haag Meteorites, Starstruck Meteorites, Heaven & Earth Meteorites, Luc Labenne Meteorites, Galactic Stone & Ironworks, Meteorite Market and R.A. Langheinrich Meteorites. UK Meteorites is listed as a regional player.
Does Aerolite Meteorites, Inc have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aerolite Meteorites, Inc.
What industry is Aerolite Meteorites, Inc in?
Aerolite Meteorites, Inc's product category is Specialty Collectibles Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALAGAE, Vintage & Antique Collectibles Retail. Its NAICS code is 459.