0.1 ct PALLASITE PERIDOT – Space Gem – Facetted from a Meteorite

Pallasite Peridot (Extraterrestrial Olivine)

Pallasite Peridot represents the “stellar-core” miracle of the silicate world. While standard Peridot is born deep within the Earth’s mantle, this specific material is a true “space gem,” originating from the stony-iron interface of fragmented planetesimals. It is one of the very few gem-quality crystals available to a collector that did not form on our planet. For the specialist, a faceted Pallasite Peridot is a prize of cosmic heritage; it offers a vitreous luster and an “otherworldly” presence that makes it the ultimate “high-vibration” centerpiece for the systematic vault. As an artist, I find the story of these “golden-green” droplets suspended in a nickel-iron matrix to be one of the most sophisticated and “universal” narratives in mineralogy.

The Heritage & Discovery

Historical Significance: Pallasite Peridot is a vital material for understanding the early formation of the Solar System. Historically, these gems come from Pallasite meteorites, named after the naturalist Peter Pallas, who studied the first “Krasnojarsk” mass in 1772. In the world of fine minerals, it is celebrated for its natural, “celestial” origin. It stands as a symbol of cosmic endurance, bridging the gap between planetary science and the elite world of “hyper-rare” collector gems. It serves as a reminder that the most “exclusive” treasures in a collection are those that have survived the “fire” of atmospheric entry to tell a story of the stars.

Discovery: These crystals are recovered from the “olivine-rich” pockets of Pallasite meteorites, such as the legendary Admire, Esquel, or Seymchan falls. It took me a lot of time and money to find tiny crystals of Peridot which have been part of these legendary Pallasite Meteorite Falls. Most of the crystals scattered during the impact and only exist in tiny miniature size, but I managed to facet a few. They were sold almost immediately as they are extremely rare and almost impossible to get. My own respect for this material grew from observing its “stellar” clarity; specifically, the faceted stones possess a “neon-lime” depth that is unmistakable to the trained eye.

Important Falls: The undisputed world capitals for gem-grade “space peridot” are the Esquel fall in Chubut, Argentina, and the Seymchan fall in the Magadan District, Russia. These celestial occurrences set the global benchmark for crystal transparency and “honey-green” saturation. I also have a high regard for the classic finds from Admire, Kansas, USA. For the vault, I prioritize faceted specimens from these specific falls for their unmatched “extraterrestrial” pedigree and their status as one of the rarest commodities in the gem world.

Mineralogical Profile

Description: Pallasite Peridot is a magnesium-rich variety of Olivine that crystallizes in the orthorhombic system. It sits at a 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, making it a durable gemstone, though its “stressed” cosmic history can make it sensitive to sudden temperature changes. It is characterized by its vitreous luster and its unmistakable, “golden-lime” to “olive-green” color palette.

One of its most identifying traits is its lack of terrestrial inclusions; instead, it may contain microscopic “needle” inclusions of nickel-iron or schreibersite. It has a high refractive index. Because it arrives as a meteoritic component, it is always found in association with Kamacite and Taenite (nickel-iron alloys). When I select a piece for the collection, I look for “pure” transparency and the absence of “shock” fractures, as these highlight the sophisticated, three-dimensional geometry of the gem’s celestial journey. It is a dense, high-vibration mineral that offers a unique, “interstellar-neon” beauty unlike any other earthly species.

Chemical Formula: (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄