Name: A Partial Slice of Imilac Meteorite
Brand: DISCOVERED IN THE ATACAMA DESERT, CHILE, 1822; MODERN CUTTING
Price: 5500.00 USD
Availability: SoldOut

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

Conditions of Sale
FAQs
This lot is offered by Christie's Inc

Brought to you by

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.