As far as I'm concerned, that is not a pyrite crystal, it has the wrong form for pyrite. But it is the right form for a spinel group mineral (magnetite, spinel, chromite, ...). Magnetite is also a common mineral. Here in Sweden I wouldn't be surprised by finding a small crystal like that in weathered rocks, magnetite is very common in granites and other igneous rocks and very resistant against weathering. As I have no knowledge of the geological conditions where this pallasite was found I can't say anything about how probably it is a terrestrial crystal or not.
A simple test is to use a weak magnet to see if it is magnetite. But I wouldn't do it on somebody else's meteorite. Nice pictures and a very interesting pallasite. :-) /Göran Dave Harris wrote: > Not mine - Rob Elliott's - it's on loan for a show, but yep - that xl > took a lot of looking at too - personally I think it is terrestrial. > Under the 'scope the xl is embedded in the loose, almost Caliche type > weathering on the very crust - it would need XRDing to check it out > but I think it is a pyrite xl -silvery and not, as far as we can tell > transparent/transclucent > It is far out - what a slice of heaven I tell you! > /-------Original Message-------/ > > /*From:*/ Mr EMan <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > /*Date:*/ 02/08/07 13:29:12 > /*To:*/ Dave Harris <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; metlist > <mailto:meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com> > /*Subject:*/ Re: [meteorite-list] the hambledon pallasite > > WOW Dave! that seems to be a complete euhedral crystal > Is that a spinel, magnetite, chromite? Regardless > perfect crystal growth like this in a meteorite is > ultrarare. > > Is this one of the pyroxene bearing pallasites? > > Inquiring minds. > > Really interesting piece, Congratulations. > > Elton > --- Dave Harris <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> wrote: > > > HI everyone > > > > ..look what I got! > http://tinyurl.com/2pjngj > > > > > > <http://www.incredimail.com/index.asp?id=409&lang=9> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > ______________________________________________ > Meteorite-list mailing list > Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list > ______________________________________________ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
