[meteorite-list] FUKANG METEORITE

From: Martin Altmann <Altmann_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sat Nov 26 07:30:53 2005
Message-ID: <006a01c5f287$0e56bf40$14599a54_at_9y6y40j>

You can buy your slice at a Bonham's auction in L.A. on 4th of Dec.

"
 Help
Flash version Copyright ? 2002-2005 Bonhams 1793 Ltd., Images and Text All
Rights Reserved
Lot No: 8084

Fukang Meteorite Slice - An Important New Discovery
Stoney Iron - Pallasite
Fukang, China
An extraordinary discovery made in 2003, the Fukang Meteorite is arguably
the world's preeminent pallasitic meteorite. The present cut and polished
slice is the first specimen of this distinguished meteorite to be made
available to the public. Displaying much larger olivine crystals than have
ever been seen before, the superlative Fukang meteorite is in outstanding
condition; its nickel-iron matrix exhibits abundant high quality olivine
crystals. The quality of some of the crystals is so fine that they may be
classified as peridot crystals, a gem form of olivine.

A brief history of Pallasites:
In 1749 on a remote wooded ridge of Mount Emir, Siberia, the first pallasite
meteorite was discovered. The native Tartars believed the iron was a holy
relic that had fallen from the heavens. In 1772, Peter Simon Pallas, the
German scientist for whom this category of meteorites was named, visited the
site and removed samples of the 700-kilogram mass. Although it would be
several years before scientists would accept the theory that stones and
irons fall from the heavens, the Pallas iron was eventually recognized as a
meteorite and identified as such. The large mass is now on display at the
Academy of Sciences Mineral Museum.

Over the next 161 years, other much smaller pallasites were discovered and
identified. Then, in 1937 at Huckitta, Australia, a pallasite weighing 1,411
kilograms was found; unfortunately, nearly the entire specimen had weathered
into iron shale, leaving only 450 kilograms of intact specimen which is
currently in Adelaide, Australia.

Fourteen years later, in 1951, a 1,500-kilogram pallasite was found in
Esquel, Argentina. A private individual maintained ownership until 1992 when
it was sold and was subsequently sawed into hundreds of small pieces. The
largest intact piece of the specimen is now less than 200 kilograms.

Not since 1951 has as large and significant a pallasite been found as the
Fukang Meteorite, discovered outside a tiny village in Northwestern China in
2003. The specimen's very large size, superb quality and enormous,
high-quality crystals make it a find of historic importance.
Measuring 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 1/8in. Weighing 910 grams.

Estimate: $18,000 to 22,000

http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=EUR&screen=lotdetailsNoFlash&iSaleItemNo=2651951&iSaleNo=13327&sServer=http://images2.bonhams.com/&sPath=2005-10/10/7153424-48-1.jpg

Regards.
Martin

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Arnold, Chicago!!" <steve_arnol60120_at_yahoo.com>
To: <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 26, 2005 12:14 PM
Subject: [meteorite-list] FUKANG METEORITE


> Hello again list.I got an email from a list member stating that the main
> mass of the fukang meteorite is at u of arizona.Man that piece looks like
> over 900 kilo's.Does anyone have a close approximate of the TKW?I can
> hardly wait to get a piece.
>
>
> steve arnold, chicago
>
> Steve R.Arnold, Chicago, IL, 60120
>
>
> Illinois Meteorites,Ltd!
>
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> website url http://stormbringer60120.tripod.com
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> __________________________________
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Received on Sat 26 Nov 2005 07:43:50 AM PST