Experts say expensive aerolite did not fall from sky in Shangri-La

Experts said the 200,000 yuan (30,000 USD) per gram aerolite reportedly falling in Shangri-La last month was just a piece of slag or lava, Beijing Youth Daily reports.

Aerolite reportedly found in Shangri-La was on display at a jewelry exhibition in Chengdu, Sichuan Province on November 18, 2017. [Photo: IC]

Earlier media reports said aerolite that had fallen in the area was now on display at a jewelry exhibition in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and the video of the aerolite was posed online and triggered hot debate.

Li Bo, a head of the Sichuan antique collection association, said the aerolite was from the fireball many residents witnessed on October 4. The association organized an exploration team and local residents to look for the mysterious stone and reportedly found it on October 8.

Aerolite expert Zhao Baolin said that judging from appearances, the "stone" could not be aerolite. It could be slag or lava.

Jiang Wei, an official from the China Association for Scientific Expedition, agreed with Zhao. He added that the identification of aerolite is very complex and needs sophisticated equipment.

The price of 200,000 yuan per gram is also unbelievable, said Jiang. Aerolites generally cost much less.