Capturing the Heart of Space… Moon & Stars pairs lunar dust from the bright highlands of the moon with a dense asteroid forged during the birth of our solar system. This two-strand, sterling silver necklace features two meteorites: a complete Campo del Cielo meteorite and a Swarovski crystal backed with lunar dust from meteorite NWA 5000.
Both chains are cable-style Sterling Silver. The chains connect by means of a spring clasp. Each setting is also Sterling Silver.
New! We have two different lengths:
- 16-18″: The top chain measures 16 inches (~40cm) and the bottom chain measures 18 inches (~46cm).
- 18-20″: The top chain measures 18 inches (~46cm) and the bottom chain measures 20 inches (~51cm).
The necklace comes in a decorative box and includes a small information card about the specimens. The card serves as the certificate of authenticity and can be found underneath the padded lining of the display box.
Specimens in Moon & Stars
Above: The Moon & Stars Necklace
Discovered in Morocco in 2007, the NWA 5000 meteorite is one of the largest lunar meteorites. Its composition suggests a highlands origin. The highlands of the moon are the white areas we can see with the naked eye here on Earth. These regions are dominated by a range of intrusive igneous rocks, such as the gabbro of NWA 5000. Known in geology as anorthosites, these rocks form when large plumes of magma cool and crystallize within the crust. The darker areas of the moon, known as “seas” due to their visual appearance, are basalts created during volcanic floods on the surface.
Campo del Cielo is often referred to as a single meteorite but it is in fact a broad term defining a meteorite field in the Chaco Province of Northwest Argentina. There are numerous large craters here and radiocarbon dating of charred tree stumps place the date of the impact at roughly 2500 BCE. The tale of the original fall was passed down from generation to generation and woven into local legends.
The region, known as Piguem Nonraltá, became a place of pilgrimage, worship, and industry. The indigenous Quechuan name translates to Spanish as Campo del Cielo or “Field of Heaven.” The name was recorded in 1576 CE by the Governor of the provinces of Tucumán, Gonzalo de Abreu y Figueroa, as the Spanish searched for the source of iron being used in indigenous weapons and possible silver deposits.
More recent studies have shown that Campo del Cielo is an IAB iron meteorite. As with other meteorites in this class, radioisotopic dating of silicate inclusions places the age of the main mass at roughly 4,400,000-4,500,000 years old.
Care Notice: The Campo del Cielo meteorite has been cleaned and sealed to protect it as much as possible. However, it is a Nickel/Iron alloy so it is susceptible to rust should the coating wear off. To keep the meteorite rust-free, we recommend the necklace be kept dry and away from chemicals. Swimming, showering, or similar activity could cause the protective coating to wear prematurely and allow rust to form. Care must also be taken to keep the meteorite away from chemicals like bleach, chlorine, and especially anything containing acid. Please note the meteorite also contains Nickel and can cause an allergic reaction if placed directly against the skin if one is sensitive to Nickel.
Above: The back of the Specimen Card.