Natural History - Historic 'Naca, Mexico' Selenite Crystal Specimen

A nickel-iron meteorite (IAB). 25.3 grams, 25 mm



From a Lincolnshire, UK, collection.

A crater field of roughly 26 craters was found in the vicinity of this crater, which is estimated to date to 4-5 thousand years BP. The age of the meteorite itself is thought to be c.4.5 billion years, formed as part of the development of this solar system. The largest two fragments, the 30.8 ton Gancedo and 28.8 ton El Chaco, are among the heaviest meteorite masses ever recovered on Earth. In 1576, the governor of a province in Northern Argentina commissioned the military to search for a large mass of iron, which it was believed the local people claimed had fallen from the sky and which they used for their weapon production. The expedition discovered a large mass of metal which was assumed to be an iron mine and brought back a few samples, which were described as being of unusual purity. Following the legends, in 1774 Don Bartolomé Francisco de Maguna rediscovered the iron mass. He himself did not believe that the stone had fallen from the sky and assumed that it had formed by a volcanic eruption. However, he sent the samples to the Royal Society of London. In 1990 it became protected by law.

Comprising: cut section of tiger's eye from South Africa, collection number 111; calcite of duftite from Tsumeb, South West Africa, collection number 566; specular hematite on calcite, collection number 300; cut agate geode half from Mexico, collection number 37; andalusite from France, collection number 301; deep brown morion crystal point from Brazil, collection number 97; cut pebble of tiger's eye from North Transvaal, South Africa, collection number 203; calcite from A40 construction works, Middlesex, UK, collection number 509; chalcopyrite from North Transvaal, South Africa, collection number 193. 686 grams total, 3.7-10.8 cm



Acquired on the UK mineral and fossil market, since 1970. From the historic mineral collection of Richard Valentine Cain, London, UK, thence by descent. Eight specimens accompanied by an original historic index file card.

Each cut to reveal attractive banding and crystal-filled cavities. 703 grams total, 20-39 mm



From Brazil. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's).