IMILAC — MANTLE-CORE BOUNDARY OF AN ASTEROID REVEALED

Lot 19
06.04.2022 14:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 7 560
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 737508
Lot 19 | IMILAC — MANTLE-CORE BOUNDARY OF AN ASTEROID REVEALED
Estimate value
£ 7 000 – 10 000
Suspended in an iron-nickel matrix of an asteroid’s core, highly translucent olivine and peridot crystals are plentiful in this example of the most beautiful extraterrestrial substance known. Polished on both sides, modern cutting.

The Imilac meteorite is one of the most famous and desirable pallasites known. Many pieces have been found over the last 200 years, totaling about 1000 kilograms. It is known for its amazing green-to-golden translucent olivine crystals and superb stability. It is often used in jewelry due to its unique ability to resist oxidation damage. The meteorite fell long ago in the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth. That clearly preserved the meteorite in nearly pristine condition. Found in all major museum and private collections worldwide, Imilac is considered a must-have meteorite; no collection is complete without a specimen. Extensive expeditions to the Atacama Desert over the last two decades have depleted the strewn field.

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.
240 mm x 130 mm x 2 mm (91/2 x 51/8 x 1/8 in.)
333g.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
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23.03.2022 – 06.04.2022
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