Lot 84
Lot 84
IMILAC PALLASITE, PMG

Atacama Desert, Atacama, Chile

Estimate
GBP 5,000 - GBP 8,000
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IMILAC PALLASITE, PMG

Atacama Desert, Atacama, Chile

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Details
Complete slice of Imilac Pallasite with extraterrestrial gemstones. Highly translucent olivine and peridot are fixed in a metallic matrix - formerly the molten core of an asteroid. Found in 1822 in the Atacama Desert, Chile, this complete slice of meteorite is mounted on a bespoke stand. Modern cutting.

614 x 434 x 1/8in. (16 x 11 x 0.2cm.)
with stand: 712in high (19cm.) high
107g.
Special notice
-
Brought to you by
James HyslopHead of Department, Science & Natural History
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

Lot Essay

Pallasites are widely considered the most beautiful meteorites, and Imilac is among the most coveted. Like all main-group pallasitic meteorites, Imilac originated from the mantle-core boundary of an asteroid that broke apart during the early history of our solar system. The crystals seen here are the result of small chunks of the stony mantle becoming suspended in molten metal near the surface of an asteroid’s iron-nickel core. Cut and polished to a mirror finish, the lustrous metallic matrix features crystals of gleaming olivine and peridot (gem-quality olivine) ranging in hues from amber to emerald.

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