-
Terrestrial Native Iron (RARE)
- Blaafjeld, Ovifak, Disko Island, Kitaa Prov., Greenland
- Miniature, 3.7 x 2.4 x 2.2 cm
- Start Time: 03/21/2010 6:45:00 pm (CDT)
- End Time: 04/01/2010 6:30:00 pm (CDT)
- Auction Closed
Item Description
Native iron is extremely rare in igneous rocks, even though it forms the majority of the earth"s core. This old-time specimen is from the Type Locality, remote Disko Island, Greenland and is a solid nodule of rust-brown native iron. The native iron formed as nodules in basalt. These specimens dates to the late 1800s. Value? This is old, rare, and seldom seen. Most native iron is extra-terrestrial. this one, however, is from some of the oldest crustal elements humans will ever access, and is a rare find to make it into the hands of specimen collections. Anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $1000 would not surprise me as a fair market value for this rarity. I have handled only a half dozen such pieces in 20 years. The base has been sawed to enhance the display quality and to check its solidity and purity, as it typical.