Uruacu Meteorite cross in sterling silver The main elemental components of octahedrite meteorites are by no means rare with the vast majority being iron and nickel (with trace amounts of other elements including gallium, germanium and iridium). It is the crystalline pattern of these meteorites (called the Widmanstätten pattern) that makes them not only rare, but also beautiful and unmistakably of cosmic origin. You see, the alternating elongated lamellar bands of iron-nickel crystals running in groups at 60 degree angles forming an octahedron crystalline lattice occurred as molten asteroid bodies cooled while they hurled through the zero gravity vacuum of space at roughly -454.75 degrees Fahrenheit, conditions which are difficult to simulate. This pattern is therefore unique to these meteorites and cannot be replicated on earth. Each meteorite has unique crystal sizes and is categorized based on the width of its lamellae. Thus, every meteorite is unique within this class of meteorites with pattern variations which are very discernable to the naked eye making each one uniquely beautiful. We have made two crosses from the Uruacu meteorite which was found in Goiás, Brazil in 1992. This meteorite is estimated to be 4-4.5 billion years old. Both are adorned in a border of sterling silver including the bail for use with a necklace. Each are about 1 5/8" tall. They each weigh 13.18 grams and 16.51 grams. The bottom edge of the silver border is etched with RWMM 0003 or RWMM 0004, reflecting our brand and the third and fourth crosses in this series. An gold adorned Muonionalusta meteorite cross and a palladium adorned Seymchan meteorite cross were the first releases from this limited release series. If you are interested in an exceptionally rare and unique piece of jewelry with a cosmic origin that dates back to near the beginning of time, then this might just be your perfect symbolic beacon to the heavens above. Domestic shipping is free for this item (just enter code free shipping at checkout). International shipping is via DHL, FedEx, or USPS international express and costs $45 for this cross. International customers please be aware that your country may levy import duties and/or VAT taxes on your purchase from us. We have nothing to do with this and cannot pay it for you. If you refuse our package because of this extra cost we will take it back and will refund your order in full once received minus the cost of the return shipping. If you are unsure what these import costs will be please check with your country's customs office. Some references on meteorites for those so inspired: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteorite https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=24131 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widmanst%C3%A4tten_pattern#Lamell.C3.A6_formation_mechanism https://www.911metallurgist.com/blog/the-worlds-10-most-precious-metals
