Pallasite – PMGMagadanskaya District, Siberia, RussiaOriginally, Seymchan was identified as an iron-nickel meteorite, but when olivine crystals were found in parts of some of the Seymchan meteorites, it was identified as a far more rare pallasite. Pallasites are literally gemstones from outer space containing olivine crystals dispersed within the iron-nickel matrix.The present sphere has been polished to display the lovely and distinctive Widmanstätten pattern found in Seymchan, also seen are many olivines. Widmanstätten patterns are unique to iron-nickel meteorites and are not found on any rocks on Earth. The parent asteroid must have been relatively small, with a specific pressure and temperature range in the iron core, but also large enough to allow a slow cooling rate in the core of only a few degrees per million years. Widmanstätten patterns are created by the separation of two alloys of nickel: kamacite (which is low in nickel) and taenite (with a high nickel content.) The resulting crystalline structure of intersecting bands can be used to identify the meteorite; the smaller bands contain a higher nickel content. A beautiful sphere with a mirror-bright polish revealing large olivine crystals. Weighing approximately 307 grams (0.67 lbs). Diameter 48mm (1 6/8 in)