Heritage Auctions will present an eclectic mix of rare meteorites, fossils, and gemstones in a virtual sale that highlights some of Earth’s—and the cosmos’s—most striking natural artifacts.
Leading the November 20 auction is a 275-pound (125 kg) Brenham meteorite, a rare siderite pallasite discovered in Kansas in 2005. This specimen, embedded with olivine crystals, offers a unique glimpse into the beauty of the universe and rests on a stand custom-made by Dallas artist Larry Whiteley.
Siderite meteorites are primarily composed of iron and nickel, distinguished from other types of meteorites by their metal-rich structure. Only a small fraction of Brenham meteorites (around 10 percent) show this form, making the specimen particularly rare. Craig Kissick, Heritage’s VP of Nature & Science, describes pallasites like this as some of “the most beautiful” of all meteorites. The auction also includes a slice of the Imilac meteorite from Chile, a three-pound pallasite fragment dating back to 1822. With only 200 pallasites among 70,000 classified meteorites, these pieces are exceptionally desirable for collectors.
Alongside meteorites, the auction offers other interesting fossils, like a 4.5-inch T. rex tooth from Wyoming’s Lance Formation, with delicate serrations and a rich brown patina. Another highlight is a 5.5-troy-ounce Alaskan gold nugget, preserved in its raw form, a rarity since many large nuggets are often melted for jewellery.
Gold Nugget, Alaska. Courtesy Heritage Auctions.
For those interested in prehistoric art, a Fossil Fish Mosaic Triptych from Wyoming’s Green River Formation combines natural history and artistic display. This three-panel, 66-inch mosaic showcases Knightia and Priscacara fossils from the Eocene epoch. Another striking piece is the “Gem” Ammonite from Canada, a 52-pound fossil from Alberta’s Bearpaw Formation. Known as Ammolite, this fossil’s iridescent shell glimmers with vibrant colours, making it a standout object at the auction.
The auction rounds out its offerings with gemstones like a 2.65-carat Paraíba tourmaline from Brazil and a 21-carat Tanzanite from Tanzania.
As demand for natural treasures grows, Heritage’s sale reflects a trend that has seen items like meteorites and fossils fetch record prices in recent years. In 2016, Christie’s sold a 1,433-pound meteorite with extraterrestrial gemstones for $1.1 million. The Valera meteorite, also included in that sale, gained notoriety as the only meteorite to have killed a mammal, a cow, adding to its intrigue. Dinosaur fossils have also sold for significant prices, with the T. rex “Chomper” displayed at David Aaron’s Frieze Masters London in 2023 with a $20 million price tag. This trend started in 2020 when Christie’s sold Stan the T. rex for a record-breaking $31.8 million.