It is estimated that only 100-150 fragments of the Gibeon meteorite have been collected. The "Elephant", weighing 47.6272 kg. is now offered for sale
It’s unique shape distinguishes this example from all of the other Gibeon meteorites.
That and the bronze presentation base created by renown artist Lawerence Stoller.
The Gibeon Meteor entered Earths atmosphere during prehistoric times and was discovered in the Kalahari Desert in Namibia in 1838. It weighed 26,000 kg.
Gibeon meteorites originated 4.5 billion Years ago from the molten core of an asteroid
located between Mars and Jupiter whose shattered remains are part of the asteroid belt.
When the meteorite hit Earth's atmosphere, it heated up,becoming a glowing fireball. The black, pitted crust formed when the meteorite's outer layer melted in flight.
"Elephant" base by Lawrence Stoller
Lawerence Stoller is an internationally recognized, award-winning artist who has pioneered the art of sculpting spectacular Megagems. His work has been featured in numerous shows and galleries in the United States, the Furstman Institute of Mineralogy (Moscow, Russia), the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art (Elhurst, Illinois), the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), and the
Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.
Meteors Comets and Asteroids
Asteroids, comets, and meteors are chunks of rock, ice, and metal left over from the formation of our solar system
about 4.6 billion years ago. Many haven't changed much in the4.6 billion years since they first formed. Their relatively pristine state makes them wonderful storytellers with much to share about conditions in the early solar system.
Comets and asteroids probably delivered some of the water and other ingredients that allowed the complex chemistry
of life to begin on Earth. The discovery supports the theory that some of life's ingredients formed in space and were delivered to Earth long ago by meteorite and comet impacts.