What is a pallasite meteorite slice?

It's a thin cross-section cut from a pallasite — a rare stony-iron meteorite made of green-gold olivine crystals suspended in a nickel-iron matrix. Sliced and polished, the metal is mirror-bright and the olivine glows translucent when backlit. Pallasites are widely considered the most beautiful meteorites.

Why are pallasites so rare?

Pallasites form at the boundary between the metal core and the rocky mantle of a large asteroid, a thin zone that rarely survives. Of the tens of thousands of known meteorites, only around 1% are pallasites, which is why good slices are prized by collectors.

Is the green crystal in a pallasite a gemstone?

Yes — the green-gold crystals are olivine, the same mineral that forms the gemstone peridot. In a pallasite, gem-quality olivine is embedded in space metal, making each slice both a meteorite and a field of natural gems.

How can I tell a pallasite slice is genuine?

A genuine pallasite shows real olivine crystals set in nickel-iron that is strongly magnetic, and it should be sold under a named locality such as Seymchan or Brenham with a certificate of authenticity. Be wary of resin or glass imitations with no metal and no magnetism.

Do pallasite slices rust?

The nickel-iron matrix can oxidize if exposed to moisture, so keep the slice dry, handle it carefully, and protect it with a thin film of mineral oil or a sealed display case. The olivine itself is stable; it's the surrounding metal that needs care.

Meteorite Guide

Pallasite Meteorite Slices: Green Olivine Gems From Deep Space

FSThe Falling Stars Collection DeskMeteorite specialists|Updated August 25, 2026|9 min read

A pallasite meteorite slice with green olivine crystals in nickel-iron — A pallasite slice — gem-green olivine suspended in mirror-bright space metal.

A pallasite meteorite slice is, for many collectors, the most beautiful object in the Solar System — green-gold olivine crystals suspended in a mirror of nickel-iron, glowing translucent when the light passes through. This guide explains what pallasites are, how they form, the famous localities, how to spot a genuine slice, and how to display one.

What is a pallasite slice?

Pallasites are stony-iron meteorites — a rare class that is part metal and part crystal. A slice is a thin cross-section cut from a pallasite and polished so the metal is bright and the olivine is revealed. For where they sit among all meteorites, see types of meteorites, and for the full deep-dive read our pallasite meteorite guide.

Pallasite meteorite slice showing green olivine crystals — Green-gold olivine set in nickel-iron — a pallasite is a meteorite and a field of natural gems in one.

How pallasites form

Pallasites are thought to form at the boundary between the molten metal core and the rocky mantle of a large asteroid — a thin transition zone where iron and olivine mix. Because that zone is small and rarely survives the asteroid’s destruction and the journey to Earth, pallasites are among the rarest meteorites, roughly 1% of all known falls.

The green olivine crystals

The glowing crystals are olivine — the same mineral that, in gem quality, is known as peridot. In a pallasite, this space-grown gemstone is locked inside metal older than the Earth. Backlit, the crystals range from honey-gold to deep green, and no two slices are ever alike.

Seymchan, Brenham & Esquel

Pallasite	Origin	Character
Seymchan	Russia	Bright metal, some slices show olivine and Widmanstätten
Brenham	USA (Kansas)	Rich, rounded olivine crystals
Esquel	Argentina	Gem-quality, highly translucent olivine — prized

How to tell a genuine slice

Named locality — e.g. Seymchan or Brenham, with a certificate.
Real olivine in metal — genuine crystals set in nickel-iron, not resin or glass.
Magnetic — the metal matrix is strongly attracted to a magnet.

More on spotting fakes in how to tell if a meteorite is real. Shop pallasite pieces: the pallasite disc pendant and the rectangular pallasite slice.

Displaying & caring for it

Keep it dry — the metal matrix can rust; store with silica gel.
Backlight it — a light source behind the slice makes the olivine glow.
Protect the surface — a thin film of mineral oil or a sealed case.

Full routine in how to display and care for a meteorite slice. Prefer solid metal? Compare with an iron meteorite slice. Ready to look? Browse meteorite specimens.

Frequently asked questions

It's a thin cross-section cut from a pallasite — a rare stony-iron meteorite made of green-gold olivine crystals suspended in a nickel-iron matrix. Sliced and polished, the metal is mirror-bright and the olivine glows translucent when backlit. Pallasites are widely considered the most beautiful meteorites.
Pallasites form at the boundary between the metal core and the rocky mantle of a large asteroid, a thin zone that rarely survives. Of the tens of thousands of known meteorites, only around 1% are pallasites, which is why good slices are prized by collectors.
Yes — the green-gold crystals are olivine, the same mineral that forms the gemstone peridot. In a pallasite, gem-quality olivine is embedded in space metal, making each slice both a meteorite and a field of natural gems.
A genuine pallasite shows real olivine crystals set in nickel-iron that is strongly magnetic, and it should be sold under a named locality such as Seymchan or Brenham with a certificate of authenticity. Be wary of resin or glass imitations with no metal and no magnetism.
The nickel-iron matrix can oxidize if exposed to moisture, so keep the slice dry, handle it carefully, and protect it with a thin film of mineral oil or a sealed display case. The olivine itself is stable; it's the surrounding metal that needs care.