Pallasite, PMG
Found in Chile, 1822

Imilac Pallasite Meteorite – Cosmic Gems from the Atacama

A Legacy of the Atacama Desert

Discovered in 1822 in Chile’s Atacama Desert, the world’s driest non-polar desert and a frequent Mars-analog site—Imilac is a legendary find. The desert’s extreme aridity has assisted in preserving these specimens for centuries, protecting their internal gemstones from the weathering.

Rarity of Pallasite Meteorites

Current scientific research suggests these “space gems” are actually core-mantle mixtures created during a massive cosmic collision. This catastrophic event forced molten metal into an olivine-rich mantle, forever encasing the crystals as they cooled.

A Visual Marvel: Metal and Olivine

Visually Imilac is a masterpiece. It’s weathered crystals have alien-like features. The slices display shimmering nickel-iron matrix embedded with translucent, honey-hued olivine (peridot) crystals. While many pieces on the market are found as “metal skeletons” (weathered fragments missing their gems), Imilac slice offers a breathtaking “stained glass” effect when held to the light.

Key Statistics & Information

Meteorite Name: Imilac
Classification: Pallasite, PMG (Main Group)
Locality: Atacama Desert, Chile (24°12’S, 68°48’W)
Year Found: 1822
Composition: Nickel-Iron matrix with translucent Olivine crystals
Rarity: One of only ~230 known pallasites worldwide