Details
A Partial Slice of Imilac Meteorite
Discovered in the Atacama Desert, Chile, 1822; modern cutting
Featuring one edge of crust and packed with translucent olivine crystals in a gleaming metallic matrix, this specimen of Imilac was cut from the main mass, the largest specimen associated with the Imilac event.
3¼ x 2¼ in. (8.1 x 5.9 cm.)
55g

Provenance
Maine Mineral and Gem Museum

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Lot Essay

Imilac is a member of the pallasite group of meteorites, widely considered to be the most beautiful of all meteorite varieties. These rocks consist of a silvery-colored metal matrix of iron-nickel enclosing green-to-brown grains of the magnesian silicate mineral olivine. Gem-quality olivine is also known as the semi-precious gemstone peridot. Grains of olivine and peridot both occur in Imilac; these grains are somewhat rounded and somewhat angular. This indicates that the rock has been partially annealed after it formed at the core-mantle boundary of its parent asteroid.

Click here to learn more about the science and history of meteorites.

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