Originating from a large Seymchan meteorite sample that underwent a number of stages of cutting, grinding and polishing in a sphere-making apparatus. Amber-hued olivine and peridot crystals are distributed throughout its highly-polished iron-nickel matrix.
52 mm. (2.0 in.) in diameter.

377 g. (0.75 lbs.)

Similar to the previous lot, this is an example of the most alluring alien substance known. Less than 0.2% of all meteorites are pallasites. They formed at the mantle-core boundary of a differentiated asteroid that underwent a mixing of the core’s molten metal with olivine from the lower mantle. The parent asteroid exploded after an enormously energetic collision with another asteroid, liberating portions of the mantle/core boundary. The result is the compelling current offering as well as other pallasitic specimens (see lots 15, 17 & 26). Seymchan also contains gem-quality olivine known as peridot (the semi-precious birthstone of August). Pallasites are the most dazzling of all meteorites and this is a wondrous three-dimensional presentation of a pallasite, revealing aspects of its structure impossible to see in a flat slab. Found in Siberia, this specimen can rightfully be considered an extraterrestrial crystal ball.

Christie's would like to thank Dr. Alan E. Rubin at the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles for his assistance in preparing this catalogue note.