Rock Identifier
Pallasite Meteorite (Sliced and Polished) (Pallasite (Iron-Nickel Matrix with Olivine crystals)) — mineral
mineral

Pallasite Meteorite (Sliced and Polished)

Pallasite (Iron-Nickel Matrix with Olivine crystals)

Hardness: 6.5-7 (olivine) / 4-5 (metal). Color: Metallic silver with translucent yellow-green crystals. Luster: Metallic matrix, vitreous crystals. Structure: Orthorhombic olivine in an octahedral nickel-iron matrix. Specific gravity: 4.8-7.5.

Hardness
6
Color
Metallic silver with translucent yellow-green crystals
Luster
Metallic matrix, vitreous crystals
Identified More mineral

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7 (olivine) / 4-5 (metal). Color: Metallic silver with translucent yellow-green crystals. Luster: Metallic matrix, vitreous crystals. Structure: Orthorhombic olivine in an octahedral nickel-iron matrix. Specific gravity: 4.8-7.5.

Formation & geological history

Formed at the core-mantle boundary of differentiated asteroids approximately 4.5 billion years ago. These are rare stony-iron meteorites that represent a mix of planetary core metal and mantle silicates.

Uses & applications

High-end scientific study, luxury jewelry (sliced for pendants), and investment-grade museum or private collecting.

Geological facts

Pallasites are among the rarest meteorites, accounting for less than 1% of all known meteorite falls. The olivine crystals in pallasites are essentially space-borne peridot gems.

Field identification & locations

Identify by the 'Widmanstätten' pattern in the etched metal and the distinctive suspended green/gold olivine crystals. Found globally in impact sites; famous sources include Brenham (USA), Esquel (Argentina), and Fukang (China).