Jepara – pallasite from Indonesia
The Jepara meteorite was discovered in May 2008 on the island of Java, Indonesia, near the town of Jepara. It was found during excavation works in muddy soil. The total recovered mass is 499.5 kg. The surface shows corrosion and rusting due to weathering.
Composition
Jepara belongs to the group of pallasites with an iron–nickel metal base containing evenly distributed olivine crystals 6–12 mm in size. Olivine makes up about 64% of the volume, magnetite 23%, and the remaining 13% consists of nickel sulfides and schreibersite.
Analysis
Chemical analysis showed homogeneous olivine with a forsterite content of 12–13%. The presence of magnetite indicates oxidation of the original metal phases, while nickel sulfides likely formed by transformation of sulfur compounds. Weathering indicates long exposure to moisture and oxygen.
Scientific significance
Despite heavy weathering, Jepara preserves valuable traces of the early solar system. Its composition and structure provide insights into processes during planetesimal formation.
Use
Thin slices of Jepara decorate luxury watch dials. The unique iron–olivine pattern makes each piece one of a kind and adds exclusivity
