Approximately 0.2% of all meteorites are pallasites, easily the most dazzling extraterrestrial substance known, and this wondrous three-dimensional presentation reveals structural aspects impossible to see in a flat presentation.

Pallasites form at the boundary of the core and mantle of an asteroid where olivine from the mantle comingles with and becomes suspended in the core’s molten metal. This sample of Seymchan also contains gem-quality olivine known as peridot (birthstone of August). The parent body from which this sphere originates orbited the Sun between Mars and Jupiter and shattered early in solar system history. When the interior components of the asteroid were liberated, a bit of this material was bumped into an Earth-crossing orbit and landed in Magadan, Siberia.

The Seymchan strewn field, which has provided so much of the pallasitic material to the marketplace over the past two decades is now depleted; a large search team recently visited the remote site and returned nearly empty-handed. With its unique asymmetric array of olivine in the metallic matrix, this specimen, which nicely fits in one’s palm, can rightfully be considered an enchanting, otherworldly crystal ball.

Christie's would like to thank Dr. Alan E. Rubin at the Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles for his assistance in preparing this catalogue.

49mm (2 in.) in diameter and 400.6 grams (0.88 lbs)