The Most Expensive Meteorite: the Fukang Meteorite

The most expensive meteorite known is the Fukang Meteorite. This meteorite is a pallasite, a rare type of stony-iron meteorite that contains olivine crystals, often in a translucent, gem-like form. Discovered in 2000 near the town of Fukang in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, this meteorite is highly prized for its aesthetic beauty and scientific significance.

Marvin Killgore of the Arizona Meteorite Laboratory lets the sun shine through a polished slice of the Fukang rock

Pallasites are valued for their unique composition, which includes olivine crystals (also known as peridot) embedded in a nickel-iron matrix, giving it a striking appearance that resembles a window into the cosmos.

Pallasites themselves are rare, but the Fukang Meteorite stands out due to the size of its crystals and the overall mass of the meteorite. The main mass of the Fukang Meteorite weighs around 1,003 kg. It was cut into slices sold to collectors and museums. The value varies by size and quality, among the most expensive meteorite specimens.

A slice of the Fukang meteorite, a pallasite, on display at Arizona State University.

Classification: The Fukang Meteorite belongs to the pallasite class, Pallasites are a rare type of stony-iron meteorite, consisting of a metal matrix of iron and nickel with embedded olivine crystals. Only about 1% of all meteorites that fall to Earth are pallasites.

Composition: The olivine crystals in the Fukang Meteorite are especially notable for their size, clarity, and color, ranging from a golden yellow to a deep green. Some of these crystals are gem-quality peridot, making them highly valuable not only to scientists but also to gem collectors. The metallic part of the meteorite is primarily composed of an iron-nickel alloy, which provides a stark contrast to the translucent green olivine.

Value: In 2008, a 925-pound (about 420 kg) slice of the Fukang meteorite was put up for auction by Bonhams in New York, with an estimated value of around $2 million. Though it didn't sell at that auction, smaller pieces and slices have been sold for tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per kilogram. The total value of the entire meteorite is estimated to be in the multi-million dollar range, making it one of the most expensive meteorites in the world.

Marvin standing on a 10 kg slice of the Fukang meteorite

Origin: Pallasites are believed to originate from the boundary between the molten metal core and the silicate mantle of differentiated asteroids. The Fukang Meteorite provides valuable insights into the early solar system and the processes that led to the formation of planets.

Age: The Fukang Meteorite, like most meteorites, is estimated to be around 4.5 billion years old, dating back to the early days of the solar system.

Various slices of the Fukang Meteorite are displayed in museums, private collections, and exhibitions around the world. Its beauty and rarity make it a centerpiece in meteorite collections. The Fukang Meteorite, with its blend of scientific intrigue and natural beauty, continues to captivate those interested in space, geology, and the art of the cosmos.

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