DISCOVERED IN THE ATACAMA DESERT, CHILE, 1822; MODERN CUTTING

Price Realised USD 43,750

Estimate

USD 15,000 - USD 25,000

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A Complete Slice of Imilac Meteorite

DISCOVERED IN THE ATACAMA DESERT, CHILE, 1822; MODERN CUTTING

Price Realised USD 43,750

A Complete Slice of Imilac Meteorite
Discovered in the Atacama Desert, Chile, 1822; modern cutting
This slice of Imilac reveals scattered, predominantly angular, green-to-brown aggregates of olivine up to a centimetre in size. The grains are translucent when back-lit.
9½ x 8¾in. (24.7 x 22.2cm.)
595g.

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.

When back-lit it is evident why pallasites are the most beautiful extraterrestrial substance known.

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