MUONIONALUSTA IRON METEORITE PENDANT $108 Sterling 925 Silver Jewelry STARBORN

Description: Whether used in buildings or bridges, coursing through your veins as part of your blood, found in molten form in the core of the Earth, or as a key component in METEORITES, ALL of the IRON (Fe) in the Universe was formed in the cores of stars ripped apart by supernova explosions. Whether the by-product of the nuclear fusion process in massive stars creating IRON deep within its core, disturbing the delicate balance of gravity versus radiation pressure, or as a white dwarf star siphoning off material from a close binary companion until its mass becomes too unstable, the end result is the same...a spectacular and cataclysmic explosion known as a Supernova. Within the resulting intense heat and pressure as the star blows itself apart, all of the heavier elements of the Periodic Table, IRON and beyond, are created as the star is destroyed. Particles, blasted away, may seed the formation of a new stellar nebula or be swept up and captured as a new solar system forms. Over billions of years, this process has repeated itself enough times so that we find the abundance of heavier elements that have resulted in the Universe as we know it today, and even allow for US to be a living part of it! As larger and larger bodies form within this new solar system, the process of planetary differentiation causes heavier elements (Iron, Nickel, heavy metals) to sink to form the core while lighter material will float up to form the mantle, with the lightest forming the crust, whether this turns out to be a large asteroid or an even larger planet. Subsequent collisions with other celestial bodies (moons, asteroids) will cause some of these to be scarred or even broken apart. Some of the resulting fragments will be ejected into new orbits, potentially crossing the paths of other planets, where these may impact as a METEORITE. So, consider this, as you hold an IRON METEORITE in your hand, you are handling a piece of the core of a very large asteroid that no longer exists, all the result of a massive explosion of a star that blew itself apart billions of years ago, long before our Solar System began to form! The first MUONIONALUSTA METEORITE was found in 1906 in northern Scandinavia. It is believed to have landed over a million years ago, making it one of the oldest known meteorites. As would be expected, whole specimens generally have a strongly weathered surface. However, when properly prepared, interior pieces expose a beauty to match the fascinating science behind it. When IRON METEORITES are cut and the resulting surface is cleaned, polished, and etched with a mild nitric acid, the crystalline structure of iron can be revealed in a criss-cross series of lines known as its Widmanstätten pattern. This is further proof that this is indeed a meteorite as this pattern is not visible in earth-based iron, the result of a cooling rate from its original molten state to solid, on the order of a single degree over a million or so years. Based on this, the MUONIONALUSTA METEORITE is classified as a Fine Octahedrite and its resulting Widmanstätten pattern is among the most beautiful, whether as a sliced fragment or cut and formed into jewelry. Due to its high nickel content, these meteorites are particularly resistant to corrosion, highly stable, and equally highly desired and collectible. A ruler and a quarter are shown in each photo for scale and reference. For these "atom/6-pointed star" pendants, they measure 1/2" tall, 7/16" wide, and 5/16" thick, not including any of the attaching structures. The look of these pendants is enhanced with a small CAMPO DEL CIELO METEORITE (from Argentina) hanging from the bottom. PLEASE NOTE that the above measurements do NOT include this accent as each is unique in size, weight, and appearance. ALSO NOTE that the MUONIONALUSTA METEORITE has been shaped into a sphere, and does show its Widmanstätten pattern. ADDITIONALLY, the MUONIONALUSTA METEORITE has been Rhodium Plated to give it a nice sheen but also to help protect it. Without this protective layer, the Widmanstätten pattern would quickly be rubbed smooth and vanish. Each pendant weighs between 3.5 and 4.1 grams, so there really isn't much difference between each specimen, other than the appearance of the Widmanstätten pattern on each one, and, obviously, each adorning CAMPO specimen. These weights do NOT include the gift chain that will come with your pendant. While each pendant has a front and back, this design can be worn showing the reverse side. Each pendant is custom made by hand. The back of the jump ring is stamped with the "shooting star" logo of STARBORN CREATIONS along with "925" to authenticate that this is a Sterling Silver setting. To make this a complete gift, we also include an 18" (with a 2" extension) snake chain. The chain that is included is Sterling Silver plating over Brass, NOT solid Sterling Silver. As chain lengths and style are highly personal, it is possible to easily replace the included gift chain with a different one of your choosing, whether from your own collection or from your favorite jeweler. An authentication card from STARBORN CREATIONS is included with each MUONIONALUSTA METEORITE pendant as well as an identification card for the CAMPO METEORITE, along with our contact information stamped on the back of each, for quick and easy reference, if needed. The above pictures are of the actual item that you will receive. After deciding which item you want, be sure to include a note (with your purchase, if possible) through ebay, stating which numbered specimen you prefer. You may want to include a second choice in case someone else's order comes in first. This is because I usually leave the photos of a sold specimen in the listing after a customer receives that item. This way, the specimen and the photo can be compared to be certain that you are satisfied. All orders will be honored in the order in which payment is received. If no numbered preference is included, we will send whichever is in the "first position" at the time, since that is most likely the piece which you first saw. All photos were taken with 3 daylight, color-balanced, compact fluorescent bulbs to provide even and consistent lighting results, whether photographed against a white or gray background. As a result, I have NOT had to adjust the brightness or contrast of the posted photos. They do show the most accurate color and shading nuances. However, the bright "hot spots" visible on the silver surfaces are the results of reflections from these lights. PLEASE NOTE: Our photo "studio" is controlled and maintained by Grace and Andi, who have generously contributed some of their own hair to "highlight and enhance" the background of some of our photos, since they do spend about 20 hours a day sleeping there. This was done without our knowledge or permission and we tried our best to remove all that we could before we started shooting...and we failed, miserably! While this IS an apparent "feature" of some of our photos, we will NOT be including any cat hair with your purchase! STARBORN jewelry purchases are NOT eligible for our usual, multi-item postage refund, since the cost of postage is NOT figured in to the final selling price. We cover the cost of postage as our way of saying Thank You for your fine jewelry purchase. You can combine this with other non-STARBORN items that I am selling to receive a refund for each additional item after the first, once shipped, not including any STARBORN items. This refund reflects my savings in postage fees by combining your orders and is based on the total weight of the items. International buyers are eligible for the multi-item discount on all non-STARBORN purchases WHEN YOU USE THE SHOPPING CART FEATURE AND PAY FOR ALL OF YOUR ITEMS IN A SINGLE PAYMENT (which will ALWAYS help you to save on shipping for ALL multi-item international purchases) and receive free shipping to the Global Shipping Program Center in Kentucky, USA, but are responsible for all additional fees for postage, customs, tariffs, and/or any other import charges. BUY WITH CONFIDENCE with our GUARANTEE! We have tried to present as clear a picture and description of each item as possible. However, if you are not happy with your decision, you can either exchange or return your STARBORN purchase, no questions asked, within 30 days of receiving it, as long as it is still in new, unaltered/undamaged condition, and returned with any/all accompanying paperwork or certification. Buyer is responsible for postage, both ways in the event of an exchange, and for return postage in the event of a return. All refunds on returns will be minus our original postage costs. Any questions? Contact me.

Price: 108 USD

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

End Time: 2024-12-29T09:24:56.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD