Admire is a member of the pallasite group of meteorites, widely considered to be the most beautiful otherworldly substance known. Meteorites are among the rarest substances on Earth. All the world’s meteorites weigh less than the world’s annual output of gold, and pallasites are more rare still as they represent less than 0.2% of all known meteorites. Pallasites formed at the mantle-core boundary of an asteroid when chunks of stony olivine (a magnesium-rich silicate) settled atop the edge of the asteroid’s molten iron core and became suspended in the metallic matrix. Gem-quality olivine also known as the gemstone peridot (birthstone of August) is present in this specimen. Admire pallasites are readily identified by large polycrystalline areas that cleaved into highly angular shards, Some olivine grains in Admire are also somewhat rounded, indicating recrystallization following an impact event in interplanetary space. Originating from the asteroid belt, the first two masses of Admire were ploughed up by a famer in Lyon County, Illinois in 1881. More than a century later, enterprising meteorite hunters returned to the site, and after a lot more plowing (following the use of a metal detector) they discovered several additional masses.
Post Lot Text
This lot has been imported from outside the EU for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on the invoice. Please see the Conditions of Sale for further information.