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Lot 8084
Fukang Meteorite Slice – An Important New Discovery
4 December 2005, 11:00 PST
Los AngelesUS$18,000 - US$22,000
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Find your local specialistFukang Meteorite Slice – An Important New Discovery
Stoney Iron - Pallasite
Fukang, China
An extraordinary discovery made in 2003, the Fukang Meteorite is arguably the world’s preeminent pallasitic meteorite. The present cut and polished slice is the first specimen of this distinguished meteorite to be made available to the public. Displaying much larger olivine crystals than have ever been seen before, the superlative Fukang meteorite is in outstanding condition; its nickel-iron matrix exhibits abundant high quality olivine crystals. The quality of some of the crystals is so fine that they may be classified as peridot crystals, a gem form of olivine.
A brief history of Pallasites:
In 1749 on a remote wooded ridge of Mount Emir, Siberia, the first pallasite meteorite was discovered. The native Tartars believed the iron was a holy relic that had fallen from the heavens. In 1772, Peter Simon Pallas, the German scientist for whom this category of meteorites was named, visited the site and removed samples of the 700-kilogram mass. Although it would be several years before scientists would accept the theory that stones and irons fall from the heavens, the Pallas iron was eventually recognized as a meteorite and identified as such. The large mass is now on display at the Academy of Sciences Mineral Museum.
Over the next 161 years, other much smaller pallasites were discovered and identified. Then, in 1937 at Huckitta, Australia, a pallasite weighing 1,411 kilograms was found; unfortunately, nearly the entire specimen had weathered into iron shale, leaving only 450 kilograms of intact specimen which is currently in Adelaide, Australia.
Fourteen years later, in 1951, a 1,500-kilogram pallasite was found in Esquel, Argentina. A private individual maintained ownership until 1992 when it was sold and was subsequently sawed into hundreds of small pieces. The largest intact piece of the specimen is now less than 200 kilograms.
Not since 1951 has as large and significant a pallasite been found as the Fukang Meteorite, discovered outside a tiny village in Northwestern China in 2003. The specimen’s very large size, superb quality and enormous, high-quality crystals make it a find of historic importance. Measuring 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 1/8in. Weighing 910 grams.
Fukang, China
An extraordinary discovery made in 2003, the Fukang Meteorite is arguably the world’s preeminent pallasitic meteorite. The present cut and polished slice is the first specimen of this distinguished meteorite to be made available to the public. Displaying much larger olivine crystals than have ever been seen before, the superlative Fukang meteorite is in outstanding condition; its nickel-iron matrix exhibits abundant high quality olivine crystals. The quality of some of the crystals is so fine that they may be classified as peridot crystals, a gem form of olivine.
A brief history of Pallasites:
In 1749 on a remote wooded ridge of Mount Emir, Siberia, the first pallasite meteorite was discovered. The native Tartars believed the iron was a holy relic that had fallen from the heavens. In 1772, Peter Simon Pallas, the German scientist for whom this category of meteorites was named, visited the site and removed samples of the 700-kilogram mass. Although it would be several years before scientists would accept the theory that stones and irons fall from the heavens, the Pallas iron was eventually recognized as a meteorite and identified as such. The large mass is now on display at the Academy of Sciences Mineral Museum.
Over the next 161 years, other much smaller pallasites were discovered and identified. Then, in 1937 at Huckitta, Australia, a pallasite weighing 1,411 kilograms was found; unfortunately, nearly the entire specimen had weathered into iron shale, leaving only 450 kilograms of intact specimen which is currently in Adelaide, Australia.
Fourteen years later, in 1951, a 1,500-kilogram pallasite was found in Esquel, Argentina. A private individual maintained ownership until 1992 when it was sold and was subsequently sawed into hundreds of small pieces. The largest intact piece of the specimen is now less than 200 kilograms.
Not since 1951 has as large and significant a pallasite been found as the Fukang Meteorite, discovered outside a tiny village in Northwestern China in 2003. The specimen’s very large size, superb quality and enormous, high-quality crystals make it a find of historic importance. Measuring 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 1/8in. Weighing 910 grams.