10.80 ct JaH073 JIDDAT AL HARASIS076 L7 METEORITE – Oman

JaH 073 (Jiddat al Harasis 073)

I have always collected stones, and that passion naturally extended beyond this planet to meteorites, impactites, and tektites. JaH 073 is a very special find from the Oman desert, and I decided to facet these specimens even though it was a significant challenge. Meteorites like this are incredibly tough; the combination of silicate minerals and metallic inclusions makes the faceting process a battle of endurance for both the lap and the cutter. When you finish a faceted piece of JaH 073, you aren’t just looking at a gemstone—you are looking at a slice of the early solar system that survived a journey of millions of miles and a fiery atmospheric entry, now tamed into a structured, brilliant form.

The Heritage & Discovery

Historical Significance: JaH 073 is a benchmark find for understanding the history of L-group chondrites. Scientific studies using cosmogenic isotopes and noble gases have revealed that this meteorite has a complex exposure history, likely losing helium and argon during a major collision in space about 14,400 years ago. It represents a “frozen” moment of deep thermal processing from a parent body that existed long before the Earth reached its current state. For the collector, it is a tangible piece of celestial history with a documented pedigree.

Discovery: This meteorite was discovered in 2002 in the Jiddat al Harasis region of Oman. It is the largest strewn field ever found in the Sultanate, covering an area of 19 x 6 km. Over 3,400 single stones were collected, ranging from massive 52 kg blocks to tiny fragments under a gram. The NW-SE orientation of the field suggests it entered the atmosphere from the southeast at a low angle before shattering in a single major disruption.

Important Mines: While not a “mine” in the traditional sense, the Jiddat al Harasis plateau is one of the world’s premier locations for meteorite recovery. The dry desert climate creates a perfect preservation environment, coating the stones in a distinct “desert patina.” Because of the mass sorting in the strewn field, we were able to select specific specimens that had the right structural integrity for my faceting experiments.

Mineralogical Profile

Description: JaH 073 is classified as an L6 Ordinary Chondrite. The “L” stands for Low-iron content (relative to other chondrites), and the “6” indicates it underwent significant thermal metamorphism, which blurred the original chondrules into a more crystalline, unified mass. It has an average shock grade of S4, showing the scars of its violent history. When faceted, the material shows a stony, silicated body with a sub-metallic luster where nickel-iron grains are present. It has a density of approximately 3.4 g/cm³, giving it a substantial feel that reflects its cosmic origin.

Chemical Formula: Primarily composed of Olivine (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄ and Pyroxene (Mg,Fe)SiO₃, with metallic Nickel-Iron (Fe,Ni).