LARGE ENDPIECE OF SEYMCHAN PALLASITE - photo 1
LARGE ENDPIECE OF SEYMCHAN PALLASITE - photo 2
LARGE ENDPIECE OF SEYMCHAN PALLASITE - photo 3
LARGE ENDPIECE OF SEYMCHAN PALLASITE - photo 4

LARGE ENDPIECE OF SEYMCHAN PALLASITE

Lot 27
06.04.2022 14:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 27 720
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 737516
Lot 27 | LARGE ENDPIECE OF SEYMCHAN PALLASITE
Estimate value
£ 30 000 – 50 000
This large endcut is expertly cut, polished, and etched. The etch reveals the distinctive Widmänstatten pattern of the nickel-rich iron: this silvery iron beautifully contrasts with and encloses the gemmy peridot, producing a stunning extraterrestrial masterpiece.

A geological exploration to Siberia in 1967 found a large meteorite. The meteorite was dominated by nickel-rich iron showing the distinctive Widmänstatten pattern, and was classified as an iron meteorite. Later expeditions uncovered a large strewn field, resulting in the recovery of many tons of meteorites. Surprisingly, many of the new finds showed the presence of distinctive honey-brown to green crystals of gemmy peridot. This meteorite is in fact a pallasite, and hence is much rarer than an iron meteorite. It is one of the largest pallasite strewn fields on Earth. Seymchan is a stunningly beautiful meteorite, the gemmy peridot crystals run the spectrum from nearly brown to emerald green. The Seymchan strewn field is hundreds of kilometers from the nearest settlement and is only accessible via helicopter. Expeditions to the site are only possible for about one month per year due to the harsh Siberian weather. Seymchan is extremely stable. For that reason, it has been used extensively in jewelry production, which has consumed a large amount of the material. The last several expeditions produced very few finds and, due to the high cost of each expedition, it is unlikely that more will be undertaken. It is now almost impossible to find large pieces of the Seymchan pallasite on the market, and as a result, prices have risen dramatically.

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.
295 mm x 225 mm x 90 mm (111/2 x 87/8 x 31/2 in.)
8.9kg.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
23.03.2022 – 06.04.2022
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
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