Lot 864
Large 201 Gram Esquel, The Most Beautiful Pallasite. Discovered in 1951 by a farmer in Chubut, Argentina, the single 680 Kg meteorite known as Esquel has been in great demand as the most beautiful of the rare type of meteorites known as pallasites. There are three major types of meteorites: iron, stony and stony-iron. Pallasites are stony-iron meteorites that originate from the core-mantle boundary of large planetary size asteroids that were destroyed early in the formation of the solar system. This rare type of meteorite consists of iron-nickel from the core of the asteroid, as well as olivine crystals known as peridot from the mantle. Peridot crystals (the gem state of olivine crystals) are the only known gem stones from space found in meteorites. Esquel is considered to be the most beautiful of all pallasites and in now rarely available as the single discovered meteorite has been completely sectioned with only the main mass end piece remaining. This very large 5.5 x4 x 1/8 inch section of Esquel has been polished on both sides to get the maximum reflection of the iron-nickel matrix, as well as displaying many beautiful translucent colors-- lightly shocked green to orange olivine crystals. It weighs a hefty 201 grams and is presented in an 8x12 inch Riker mount. Purchased from Robert Hague (owner of the Esquel Pallasite) over 15 years ago. Estimate Value $5,500 - UP
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