Semi-Precious Gemstones | Meteorite

Meteorite Jewelry

Source: Worldwide

A meteorite is an extraterrestrial body that survives its impact with the Earth's surface without being destroyed. While in space it is called a meteoroid. Most meteoroids disintegrate when entering the Earth's atmosphere, however an estimated 500 meteorites ranging in size from marbles to basketballs or larger do reach the surface each year. About 5% of meteorites that fall are iron meteorites with intergrowths of iron-nickel alloys, such as kamacite and taenite. Most iron meteorites are thought to come from the core of a number of asteroids that were once molten.

Chondrule (Fayalite 6.5-7 or feldspar as Orthoclase 6) has a hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale depending on its specific mineral composition. About 86% of the meteorites that fall on Earth are chondrites. Chondrites are meteorites of the "stony" type, that have not been modified due to melting or differentiation of the parent body. These particles, or chondrules, are composed mostly of silicate minerals that appear to have been melted while they were free-floating objects in space.

Meteorite Pendant by Michael Zobel

Meteorite can also contain fragments of gemmy olivine crystal (above, right). When sliced into thin layers, these olivine fragments are transparent next to the opaque nickel-iron matrix they are contained in. Any polished nickel-iron surfaces must be treated to prevent rust and corrosion.

Chemical composition: Si_xO_y