Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9

Meteorite Fragment with Peridot Crystals in Iron Matrix

About the Item

A complete cross section of one of the most beautiful meteorites known, displaying shimmering, translucent olivine and peridot gems, embedded in an iron-nickel metallic matrix. The magnificent honeycomb pattern shown on the present specimen is characteristic of pallasite meteorites, of which Imilac is one of the finest. It was found in 1822 in the Atacama Desert – the most arid place on Earth – and is one of the most highly coveted pallasites thanks to its ethereal beauty and particularly high concentration in olivine. Pallasites are extremely rare, comprising less than 0.2% of known falls. These stony-irons formed at the very beginning of our solar system, fragments of an asteroid which differentiated, like our own planet, into a mantle and a core. Originating from the transitional core-mantle boundary, they were set free by a large collision which propelled them out of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and into an Earth-bound orbit. As well as being extraordinarily beautiful they are scientifically invaluable, helping us to understand the formation and structure of our planet, whose core is made of the same iron and nickel. Circa 4.5 billion years old Height: 25 cm Weight: 372 g PROVENANCE Discovered in the Atacama Desert, Chile, in 1822.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9.85 in (25 cm)Diameter: 7.88 in (20 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    4.55 billion years before present
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1052244470852

More From This Seller

View All
Sculptural Iron Nickel Meteorite
Located in London, GB
A magnificent and extremely sculptural specimen of the Seymchan meteorite, recovered in the Russian Far East. This rare and large end cut preserves the patinated and partially melted...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Russian Natural Specimens

Materials

Other

Large Sculptural Iron Meteorite
Located in London, GB
Stony-iron, pallasite - PMG Circa 4.5 Billion y/o Weight: 34.68 kg Height (including base): 53 cm Width: 29 cm A magnificent and extremely sculptural specimen of the Seymchan meteor...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Natural Specimens

Materials

Iron

Large Sculptural Iron Meteorite
$209,846
Free Shipping
Extraterrestrial Iron Sphere from the Aletai Meteorite
Located in London, GB
A magnificent meteorite sphere, cut from the famous Aletai meteorite and polished to reveal the shimmering iron-nickel matrix and the beautiful crystalline Widmanstätten pattern — a ...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Natural Specimens

Materials

Iron

Large Chondrite Meteorite with Regmaglypts
Located in London, GB
NWA 12759 Stone, Chondrite - L5 18.3 KG “This specimen of the NWA 12759 L5 chondrite has a smooth posterior fusion crust where meteoritic melt pooled as the rock descended through the atmosphere and was heated by friction with molecules of air. The meteorite is from the L-chondrite asteroid that was destroyed by an energetic collision 470 million years ago.” Dr Alan E. Rubin, PhD Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, UCLA Detached from its parent body by a mighty impact, this large, oriented meteorite travelled over a hundred million miles through space before falling to Earth in the North African desert. Beautiful regmaglypts radiate from the apex of its cone shaped nose. These elongated dimples formed when streaks of superheated molten rock streamed off the meteor’s surface as it blazed through the atmosphere. The entire piece is coated in a glossy, umber-coloured fusion crust and close examination reveals remnants of encrusted, orange dirt. Whilst most meteors tumble as they travel through the Earth’s atmosphere, oriented meteorites...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Moroccan Natural Specimens

Materials

Stone

Sculptural Oriented Meteorite
Located in London, GB
Oriented Chondrite Meteorite Circa 4.56 Billion y/o Chondrite 24 x 20 cm, 28 cm tall on base 7.1 kg A sculptural and beautifully weathered chondrite meteorite; upon entering the atmosphere, this extraterrestrial stone would have heated the surrounding air to a temperature of over 1700 C, higher than that of the hottest lava on the planet, and enough to melt away its outer layers, leaving its surface rippled with regmaglypts, thumb-shaped impressions formed as superheated rock streaked off of the main body as it careened toward the earth. The last layer of the rock to melt would have re-solidified as the meteorite made impact, forming a charcoal coloured fusion crust, which has taken on a deep ochre-tinted patina. Chondrite meteorites such as this example were formed at the very beginning of our solar system, by the accretion of various types of dust and small grains, adrift in the vacuum of space and, as such, provide important clues about the birth of our own planet. This piece is an especially rare specimen, known as an oriented meteorite...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Natural Specimens

Materials

Stone

Sculptural Oriented Meteorite
$35,000
Free Shipping
Oriented Stone Meteorite
Located in London, GB
Oriented Stone Meteorite Chondrite 5.00 kg Detached from its parent body by a mighty impact, this large, oriented Meteorite travelled over a hu...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier North African Natural Specimens

Materials

Stone

Oriented Stone Meteorite
$46,500
Free Shipping

You May Also Like

18th Century Italian 'Florence Fragment' Vase with Calcite Crystals in Matrix
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
18th century Italian "Florence Fragment" vase adorned with calcite crystals and mounted with calcite crystals in a zinc matrix. The calcite crystals are from the famous Elmwood Mine ...
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Mounted Objects

Materials

Rock Crystal, Crystal, Zinc

18th Century Italian Fragment with Chalcopyrite and Calcite Crystals in Matrix
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Sculptural 18th century Italian candlestick mounted with chalcopyrite and calcite crystals in matrix. The gilded fragment was originally part of a candlestick in a historical Italia...
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Mounted Objects

Materials

Rock Crystal, Pyrite

17th Century Italian Gold Leaf Fragment with Calcite Crystals in Matrix
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
17th century Italian gold leaf fragment with calcite crystals in a rock matrix with gold leaf crystal quartz and mounted on a rock coral base. This fragment was originally part of a...
Category

Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Mounted Objects

Materials

Rock Crystal, Quartz, Gold Leaf

18th Century Italian Fragment with Mica in Matrix and Crystal Quartz Points
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Sculptural 18th century Italian fragment decorated with mica and crystal quartz points on a polished agate base. The 18th century fragment originally came from a candlestick in a his...
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Mounted Objects

Materials

Rock Crystal, Agate, Quartz

18th Century Italian Candlestick Fragment on Tangerine Crystals in Matrix Base
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Sculptural 18th century Italian mecca gilded candlestick decorated with amber mounted on tangerine crystals in matrix base. This mecca gilded candlestick was originally part of a historical Italian church in Italy. It has been adorned with amber and mounted on the coordinating tangerine crystal quartz cluster in matrix. The piece is put together by Jean O'Reilly Barlow, the artist and creative director of Interi. The date of manufacture reflects when she transformed the piece and the period shows that the Italian fragment is originally 18th century. The Italian church artifact and tangerine crystal in matrix are put together in a sculptural form - creating an organic and historically significant...
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Mounted Objects

Materials

Rock Crystal, Crystal

18th Century 'Florence Fragment' Base with Fossil Shells in Matrix
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
18th century Italian 'Florence Fragment' base topped with a variety of fossil shells in matrix and mounted on a rock coral base. This fragment is from a church in Florence. It was f...
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Mounted Objects

Materials

Coral

Recently Viewed

View All