LOT 0404

Sericho Meteorite Cross-Section

CIRCA 4.5 BILLION YEARS B.P.

19 1/8 in. (1.3 kg, 48.5 cm).

A spectacular polished slice displaying the characteristic crystalline structure of pallasites, with translucent amber-coloured olivine crystals suspended in a shimmering metallic iron-nickel matrix; accompanied by a custom-made display stand.

Discovered in Isiolo County, Eastern Kenya, 2016.
Private collection, USA.

See Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 106 (2018).

Comprising 0.2% of all meteorites, pallasites are the rarest and most aesthetic examples and are highly sought after by collectors and museums. This cross-section reveals their mesmerising internal structure, consisting of translucent amber-coloured olivine crystals suspended in a shimmering iron-nickel matrix which has been polished to a mirror finish. Of all known pallasites, Sericho is especially renowned for its high concentration of olivine, often displaying hues of orange, yellow and green when spotlit or in direct sunlight. Cross-sections of this scale and integrity are particularly rare. While prized for their beauty, Sericho meteorites are also notoriously prone to oxidation if not treated correctly. This piece has been carefully prepared, resulting in a stable specimen that retains both its visual clarity and structural integrity.