Rare pallasite meteorite FUKANG China. Amazing slice.

Fukang                                           44° 26’N  87° 38E

Fukang, China

Find:  2000

Pallasite (main group)

History:   An anonymous finder recovered a 1003 kg specimen near Fukang, China, in 2000.  The sample was at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in February 2005, and seen by D. S. Lauretta of UAz. Approximately 20 kg had been removed form the main mass by the finder before the Tucson show and the mass investigated at UAz was 983 kg. (D. S. Lauretta, D. Hill, M. Killgore, D. Della-Giustina, Y. Goreva, UAz; I. Franchi, Open U). Petrography and Geochemistry: Olivine Throughout the large mass, olivines vary in shape from rounded to angular; many are fractured.  They range in size from <5 mm to several cm.  The main pallasite contains several regions of “massive” olivine clusters up to 11 cm in diameter with thin metal veins only a few mm in width. Fo_86.4 with molar Fe/Mg (0.1367), Fe/Mn (40.37), and Ni = 0.03 (wt%).  Zoning was not observed for Al, Cr, Ca, Mn, or Fe typical of many olivines in Main Group pallasites. Metal and Sulfides Groundmass is mostly kamacite with some occurrences of kamacite mantles surrounding taenite cores, rounded taenite adjacent to kamacite, and regions of “comb plessite”.  Kamacite contains an average Ni = 6.98 wt%. Schreibersite is enclosed by wide kamacite bands and as mantles adjacent to olivines.  Two populations of schreibersite are present with Ni = 26 and 35 (wt%) near chromite.  Vermicular sulfide (troilite) is present in some olivine.  Thin veins of kamacite and troilite occur inside many olivines as well. Minor Phases: Euhedral chromites up to 0.5 cm, rounded whitlockite adjacent to olivine, and troilite heterogeneously distributed in thin veins.  Several regions, ranging from <100 ?m to several mm, that contain a complex mixture of olivine, low-Ca pyroxene, troilite, and whitlockite were observed adjacent to chromite.  Bulk Composition Fe = 89.9 ± 0.3 Ni = 9.0 ± 0.2 P = 0.62 ± 0.02 Co = 0.51 ± 0.01 (all wt.%); Ge = 41 ± 4 As = 26 ± 5 Ga = 19.1 ± 0.5 Pd = 5.1 ± 0.2 Au = 2.6 ± 0.2 (all µg/g); Ir = 43 ± 4 ng/g.  Oxygen Isotopes ?¹⁸O = 2.569‰, ?¹⁷O = 1.179‰.  Classification:  Pallasite (main group).  Specimens: A total of 31 kg of sample is on deposit at UAz. M. Killgore hold a total of 31 kg.  An anonymous collector holds the main mass.

The specimen for sale here is a partslice weighing 16.38 grams showing amazingly huge olivine crystals and etched metal. The specimen measures 41 mm by 43 mm by ~1 mm thick! The crystal is wonderful, 24 mm long!

 It is packaged in a plastic box with dessicant beads, which will prevent any chance of oxidation as longs as it remains closed. I am a meteorite dealer and fully gaurantee the authenticity of every meteorite and tektite specimen I sell.