The specimen now offered features the internal and external surfaces of a pallasite, i.e., a type of meteorite that forms at the mantle-core boundary of an asteroid. Pallasites are exceedingly rare and represent less than 0.2% of all meteorites.

Unlike the vast majority of other pallasites, the dispersion of olivine crystals in Seymchan is extremely heterogeneous. Some specimens are olivine rich, some are olivine poor and some contain no olivine at all. This animated specimen features two distinct channels of metal with plentiful olivine and peridot (gem-quality olivine and the birthstone of August). As seen, the gleaming crystals in the center of the mass are, curiously, a different hue than the crystals along the perimeter.

The reverse surface of the specimen is vaguely concave and slopes away from its central ridge. Sheathed in a natural milk chocolate to ochre patina, crystals of olivine are seen embedded in the mass.

Seymchan meteorites contain schreibersite — and it is believed by many that the delivery of schreibersite to the Earth via asteroidal bombardments early in solar system history provided much of the phosphorus that may have enabled life to begin. In addition, this meteorite also contains another substance believed to have been a marker in the road toward humankind. Iridium is rare on Earth, more common in certain meteorites, and more common still in Seymchan. The 66 million year old iridium layer enveloping the Earth is believed to be evidence of a massive asteroid that impacted the Gulf of Mexico, directly resulting in the end of the age of the dinosaurs, and providing the opportunity for human life to evolve.

Widely considered the most beautiful extraterrestrial substance known, pallasites are the most dazzling meteorites and now offered is a superlative example. Originating from an asteroid residing between Mars and Jupiter, this is both a captivating aesthetic specimen and a compelling conversation piece. Accompanied by a custom armature.

Christie's would like to thank Dr. Alan E. Rubin at the Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles for his assistance in preparing this catalogue.
116 x 123 x 49mm (4.5 x 4.75 x 2 in.) and 804 grams (1.75 lbs)