The Most Expensive Meteorite: the Fukang Meteorite

Classification: The Fukang Meteorite belongs to the pallasite class, Pallasites are a rare type of stony-iron meteorite, consisting of a metal matrix of iron and nickel with embedded olivine crystals. Only about 1% of all meteorites that fall to Earth are pallasites.

Composition: The olivine crystals in the Fukang Meteorite are especially notable for their size, clarity, and color, ranging from a golden yellow to a deep green. Some of these crystals are gem-quality peridot, making them highly valuable not only to scientists but also to gem collectors. The metallic part of the meteorite is primarily composed of an iron-nickel alloy, which provides a stark contrast to the translucent green olivine.

Value: In 2008, a 925-pound (about 420 kg) slice of the Fukang meteorite was put up for auction by Bonhams in New York, with an estimated value of around $2 million. Though it didn't sell at that auction, smaller pieces and slices have been sold for tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per kilogram. The total value of the entire meteorite is estimated to be in the multi-million dollar range, making it one of the most expensive meteorites in the world.