Stony meteorites are one of the most abundant meteorite types, consisting largely of silicate minerals, divided into two groups named chondrites and achondrites. Unlike achondrites, chondrites contain chondrules, which are spheres or spheroids of olivine and other minerals embedded in a matrix or groundmass; chondrules are clearly visible on broken or polished surfaces and are usually less than 3 mm in diameter.

Excerpt from the Encyclopedia Britannica without permission.