Found near Oman’s border with Yemen in 2010, Dhofar 1989 is a member of the enigmatic ureilite group. The composition of ureilitic meteorites is both peculiar and unique; the origin of ureilites is unknown — its parent body has yet to be discovered. Ureilites are achondrites (i.e., meteorites without chondrules); they typically contain graphite and a bounty of nanodiamonds whose presence suggests a massive impact event in space. Due to the diamonds, many ureilites are notoriously difficult to cut and polish. Ureilites have a cumulate texture, which is to say they are igneous rocks that form from the accumulation of crystals that precipitate from a magma (a mixture of molten rock and mineral grains). Somewhat triangular, this complete slice is wrapped in fusion crust and displays a classic cumulate texture, the result of the settling of olivine and orthopyroxene grains within an asteroid’s magma chamber. Dhofar 1989 is best known for its abundant flakes of graphite, a form of carbon, which can be highly reflective; when gently rocked from side to side this specimen glimmers. Dhofar 1989 is a textbook example of an exotic ureilite. With an abundance of extraterrestrial nanodiamonds, this is a meteorite for that special someone. Christie's would like to thank Dr. Alan E. Rubin at the Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles for his assistance in preparing this catalogue. 89 x 75 x 5mm (3.5 x 3 x 0.1 in.) and 49 grams

Lukasz Smula