Meteorite worth $1,00,000 used as doorstop for decades

Michigan : A Michigan man unknowingly used a rock as his doorsteps for over a decade; it has been found that the rock is meteorite with a current worth of $1,00,000. According to the Smithsonian Museum and Central Michigan University, the rock is also sixth largest meteorite found in Michigan.

The meteorite came to light after David Mazurek took his doorstep to the university for examination after seeing reports that meteorite pieces selling for thousands of dollars. "I said, 'Wait a minute. I wonder how much mine is worth,'" Mazurek said.

University Geology Professor Mona Sirbescu examined that rock and straight away claimed that it is not an ordinary rock; there is something special about it. "I could tell right away that this was something special," she said. "It's the most valuable specimen I have ever held in my life, monetarily and scientifically."

More tests are being conducted to see if the meteorite contains rare elements.

"What typically happens with these at this point is that meteorites can either be sold and shown in a museum or sold to collectors and sellers looking to make a profit," Sirbescu said. The Smithsonian and a mineral museum in Maine are considering purchasing the specimen. Mazurek said that when he sells the meteorite, he'll donate some of the money to the university.

"I'm done using it as a doorstop. Let's get a buyer!" Mazurek said.

How did Mazurek find the meteorite?

David claimed that the meteorite came with a barn he bought in 1988 in Edmore. He said the farmer who sold him the property told him it landed in his backyard in the 1930s. "The story goes that it was collected immediately after they witnessed the big boom and the actual meteorite was dug out from a crater," Sirbescu said.