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!
On February 12, 1947, around 10:30 AM (local time), witnesses in the Sikhote-Alin Mountain region of southeastern Russia, observed a brilliant bolide (fireball meteor) brighter than the Sun, which left a smoke trail visible for hours after the event. The end result was the largest WITNESSED meteor impact in recorded human history, with over 23 tons of recovered IRON METEORITES. While believed to be a single large meteor when it entered the atmosphere, pieces began to break off almost immediately as it fell. As pieces encountered the denser portion of the lower atmosphere, the main mass broke apart in a violent explosion called an air burst. This led to two distinctly different types of features in the recovered specimens. WHOLE specimens feature regmaglypts ("thumb-print" like impressions) and other features consistent with ablation due to friction with the air as it tumbled (or didn't) as it fell. TORN specimens can resemble shrapnel, with ragged, twisted and distorted shapes and features. This is the result of the low-altitude breakup. Violent forces ripped these pieces apart towards the end of their flight, so they weren't subject to the heating and melting that would have smoothed out these details.
This particular pendant, featuring a "WHOLE" SIKHOTE-ALIN METEORITE specimen, measures 7/8" tall, 5/8" at its widest point, and 1/4" at its thickest point. The metal which makes up the textured bail for this pendant is Sterling Silver. The total weight of the pendant is 5.1 grams, which does NOT include the weight of the chain.
The above photos are of the actual pendant that you will receive. A ruler and a quarter are shown in the one photo for scale and reference and all measurements are to the nearest 1/16th of an inch but rounded down, NOT up. The length/height is measured from the top of the setting to the bottom but does not include the bail or any part of its structure or the jump ring. Each pendant is custom made by hand, based on the individual specimen. The INSIDE 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. Since it is stamped where it will not show, this piece can be worn as shown in these photos or reversed...there is no dedicated front or back. 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. A descriptive identification/authentication card is included with each SIKHOTE-ALIN METEORITE pendant, along with our contact information stamped on the back, for quick and easy reference, if needed.
I have tried to show this pendant in the ways in which you might look at it as you held it in your hands, from front to back, top to bottom, and side to side. 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.