Pallasite
Pallasite is meteorite (stony-iron), (olivine in Fe-Ni metal). In the hand, it rates 4 to 6.5 (mixed metal and olivine) on the Mohs scale, and it runs silver metal honeycomb and amber-green olivine gems. The most beautiful meteorite class: golden-green olivine gems set in a silvery nickel-iron honeycomb, backlit slices glow like cosmic stained glass.
The geology.
Pallasite carries the formula (olivine in Fe-Ni metal). It belongs to the, system. Its listing category is meteorite (stony-iron).
It sits at 4 to 6.5 (mixed metal and olivine) on the Mohs scale. The surface reads metallic with glassy gem windows. Light behaviour is opaque metal with translucent olivine. Specific gravity runs 4.5 to 7.0. The streak is gray. It breaks with tough metallic matrix; olivine conchoidal.
The most beautiful meteorite class: golden-green olivine gems set in a silvery nickel-iron honeycomb, backlit slices glow like cosmic stained glass.
It turns up mostly as thin backlit slices, polished slabs or end cuts.
The origins.
Rare worldwide: Esquel (Argentina), Imilac (Chile), Brenham (Kansas, USA), Seymchan (Russia).
On value, the database notes: prized; fine Esquel and Imilac slices are among the costliest meteorites.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, prized as a bridge of earth-and-sky energies, cosmic peridot in iron.
This is lore, and we label it as lore. The measurable facts are further up the page.
Spotting the real thing.
The most beautiful meteorite class: golden-green olivine gems set in a silvery nickel-iron honeycomb, backlit slices glow like cosmic stained glass.
Heavily faked at tourist sites and online, buy documented falls/finds from reputable dealers; slices should come with classification.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Resin-and-metal fakes | Counterfeit 'pallasites' use resin or glued glass, real olivine is cold, hard, and the metal etches with Widmanstätten-style patterns |
| Mesosiderite | Mesosiderite is jumbled gray breccia without gem olivine windows |
| Slag with glass | Bubbles, no nickel, wrong density |
At-home tests.
A loupe and a window seat settle most questions about pallasite. No workshop required.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| Magnet check | Magnet grabs it firmly |
| Backlight | translucent green-amber olivine |
| By eye | Nickel-bearing metal (XRF or dealer certificate) |
| By eye | Density and zero vesicles |
If these checks leave you unsure, that is what appraisers are for. Do not file, heat or soak a piece to find out.
Care & handling.
At 4 to 6.5 (mixed metal and olivine) on the Mohs scale this is a soft material. Keep it as a display piece, store it apart from harder stones, and skip daily-wear settings.
It breaks with tough metallic matrix; olivine conchoidal, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Most damage happens during cleaning, not wearing. Avoid steamers, ultrasonic tanks and anything from under the sink.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is (olivine in Fe-Ni metal). Crystal system:,. Specific gravity: 4.5 to 7.0. Streak: Gray. Cleavage and fracture: Tough metallic matrix; olivine conchoidal.
How it reaches the market
Rare worldwide: Esquel (Argentina), Imilac (Chile), Brenham (Kansas, USA), Seymchan (Russia).
What it gets confused with
Resin-and-metal fakes: Counterfeit 'pallasites' use resin or glued glass, real olivine is cold, hard, and the metal etches with Widmanstätten-style patterns. Mesosiderite: Mesosiderite is jumbled gray breccia without gem olivine windows. Slag with glass: Bubbles, no nickel, wrong density.
What it is worth
Prized; fine Esquel and Imilac slices are among the costliest meteorites.
Where buyers get caught
Heavily faked at tourist sites and online, buy documented falls/finds from reputable dealers; slices should come with classification.
One more thing
Pallasites may be core-mantle boundary shrapnel from shattered protoplanets, peridot from space wrapped in asteroid steel.
An education-first guide.
There is nothing to buy on this page. Pallasite is not part of our catalogue, and the guide is here anyway because somebody searching the name deserves a straight answer.
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