Meteorite Science
Pallasite Meteorites: The Rare Space Gem with Green Olivine
If iron meteorites are cosmic sculpture, pallasites are cosmic stained glass — translucent green olivine crystals glowing inside a mirror of iron-nickel. They’re among the rarest and most beautiful meteorites known. Here’s how they form, why they’re so scarce, and what to look for in pallasite jewelry.
What is a pallasite?
A pallasite is a stony-iron meteorite: gem-quality olivine (the mineral known on Earth as peridot) set within a matrix of iron-nickel metal. Cut and polished into a thin slice, the olivine turns translucent and the metal becomes a mirror — which is why pallasite slices are often backlit to show off their glow.
How pallasites form
The leading explanation places pallasites at the core-mantle boundaryof an asteroid — where the molten iron core (metal) met the surrounding rocky mantle (olivine). That interface is the only place both materials mix, which is exactly why pallasites are so uncommon.
Why they’re so rare
Of all meteorites that reach Earth, the overwhelming majority are stony chondrites. Irons are less common; stony-irons like pallasites are rarer still — a small fraction of all known falls and finds. Gem-quality pallasite, with clear, well-colored olivine, is rarer again.
| Type | Makeup | Relative abundance |
|---|---|---|
| Stony (chondrite) | Rock / silicate | Most common |
| Iron | Iron-nickel metal | Less common |
| Pallasite (stony-iron) | Olivine + iron-nickel | Rare |
Brenham, Seymchan & Esquel
| Pallasite | Locality | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Brenham | Kansas, USA | Classic amber-green olivine; the pallasite in many of our pieces |
| Seymchan | Russia (Magadan) | Some areas rich in olivine, others show a strong metal pattern |
| Esquel | Argentina | Prized for large, exceptionally clear gem-green crystals |
Watch: pallasite backlitPallasite in jewelry
In jewelry, pallasite is the statement material — the green olivine reads as a natural gemstone with an extraterrestrial backstory. Look for well-colored, translucent crystals and a clean metal matrix. Because it’s a stony-iron, a good setting protects the metal while showing off the olivine. Compare it with iron pieces in the Muonionalusta guide, and see current pieces in the collection.
Caring for a pallasite
The olivine is stable, but the iron-nickel around it can rust — so treat pallasite jewelry like any iron piece: keep it dry, wipe after wear, and apply a thin oil or wax film periodically. Full routine in the care guide. For a neutral scientific reference on olivine, see Britannica’s olivine entry.
Frequently asked questions
- A pallasite is a rare stony-iron meteorite made of gem-quality olivine (peridot) crystals embedded in a matrix of iron-nickel metal. When sliced and polished, the translucent green-to-gold olivine glows against the mirror-like metal, making pallasites among the most beautiful objects in the Solar System.