Pallasite, Kenya, found 2016. Superb half individual with etched and polished face and abundant gemstones. Weighing 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs) and measuring 285 mm x 190 mm x 90 mm. This magnificent large example of the Sericho pallasite is a treasure trove of extraterrestrial gemstones of rich and varying colors. This type of “end cut” is highly valued by many meteorite collectors as it presents an example of the best of both worlds, that being the inside and the outside of a meteorite in a single specimen. The exterior of this large piece shows a rich chocolate-ocher natural patina, acquired from its centuries-long residence in the deserts of Kenya. The interior has been cut in the lab with a special saw and them meticulously prepared to reveal an ocean of glittering space gems.
Only a handful of skilled preparators have the expertise to carry out the type of exacting work that can reveal the inner beauty of a pallasite such as this. Sericho’s matrix is very hard—an amalgam of nickel, iron, and trace elements. The diamond-tipped saw employed to slice it must be resilient enough to work its way through such as mass, but also delicate and patient enough not to destroy the comparatively soft crystals within (peridot rates 6.5-7 on the hardness scale). An exquisite meteorite like this, when found, isn’t just dropped off at the local rock shop. After identification (and classification or analysis, if required), it is sent to one of the very few specialists who can handle such work. As such, expert human craft and technique have here added value and beauty to some of the solar system’s finest work.
