Name: Imilac
Observed fall: No
Provenance: Chile, Atacama Desert
Classification: Pallasite
Mass: 57.60 g individual with fusion crust
Link to publication Meteoritical Bulletin: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.cfm?code=12025
This 57.60 g individual specimen originates from the famous Imilac pallasite, discovered in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. Imilac is one of the world’s most renowned pallasites and a classic example of meteorites exhibiting an intimate association between metallic iron-nickel and silicate crystals.
Unlike polished slices, this specimen is preserved as a natural individual, retaining portions of its fusion crust formed during atmospheric entry. Along the surface, translucent olivine crystals are clearly visible, naturally exposed where the fusion crust thins or has weathered, offering a direct view of the pallasite’s internal composition without artificial preparation.
The contrast between the dark fusion crust, metallic matrix, and golden-green olivines gives this specimen a strong visual presence. Such individuals provide an immediate and intuitive understanding of pallasite structure, illustrating how silicate crystals are suspended within a metal framework — a defining feature of this meteorite type.
Complete Imilac individuals of this size, preserving both fusion crust and visible olivines, are particularly appreciated by collectors and institutions, as they combine scientific relevance with natural aesthetics.
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Imilac pallasites are thought to originate from a differentiated parent body, traditionally interpreted as representing material from the core–mantle boundary of an early asteroid. Some specimens, however, may reflect more complex formation histories involving impact mixing between metallic and silicate-rich regions.
Recovered from one of the driest environments on Earth, Imilac meteorites often exhibit excellent preservation. Natural individuals such as this one are especially valued for teaching, exhibition, and comparative study, as they retain contextual features that are absent from fully sectioned specimens.
This specimen is well suited for advanced private collections, educational displays, or as a representative example of pallasites in a broader meteorite collection.
