Pallasites are a rare class of stony-iron meteorites characterized by large, translucent crystals of olivine embedded in a metallic nickel-iron matrix. When sliced and polished, they exhibit a stunning, gem-like appearance that makes them highly coveted by mineral collectors and astronomical enthusiasts. They are believed to originate from the core-mantle boundary of differentiated planetary bodies.
Is this pallasite?
6-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch pallasite with a known reference. Pallasite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the textureLook at a fresh break with a hand lens. Texture: Centimetre-sized olivine crystals in metal. Grain size: Centimetre-sized olivine crystals.
- 3Pick out the mineralsComposition: Peridot-quality olivine in an iron-nickel matrix, with minor schreibersite, troilite, chromite and pyroxenes. Identify the two or three most abundant grains.
- 4Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: none, or a weak grayish streak if pressed hard.
- 5Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 6Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, green, brown, silver, black.
Often confused with
Pallasite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside pallasite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pallasite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.5-5.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- None, or a weak grayish streak if pressed hard
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- extraterrestrial origin
- Texture
- Centimetre-sized olivine crystals in metal
- Grain size
- Centimetre-sized olivine crystals
- Composition
- Peridot-quality olivine in an iron-nickel matrix, with minor schreibersite, troilite, chromite and pyroxenes
Where rockhounds find pallasite
Classic worldwide localities
- Esquel, Argentina
- Imilac, Chile
- Brenham, Kansas, USA
- Seymchan, Russia
- Glorieta Mountain, New Mexico, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: extraterrestrial origin. If you start seeing olivine, kamacite, taenite in float, you are in the right ground.
Common questions
How do you identify pallasite?+
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Find pallasite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
