Meteorites and related materials have been used for human adornment for millennia. The oldest examples come from the tombs of ancient Egypt, but the practice of making jewellery continues to the present day.

Dr Alex Bevan head of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the Western Australian Museum will present his lecture Cosmic Gems on 8 and 9 September 2011, as part of the Museum’s Harry Butler lecture series: In the Wild West.

Dr Bevan said meteorites and cosmic dust bring to Earth a wide variety of materials with origins ranging from the inner, to the farthest outer reaches of the Solar System.

“Some meteorites contain millions of tiny diamonds, corundum (rubies and sapphires) and other minerals, the origins of which pre-date the formation of the Solar System,” Dr Bevan said.

“These ancient minerals formed in the atmospheres of dozens of different stars that ended their lives before the Sun was lit. Later showering the embryonic cloud from which the Solar System formed.”

Dr Bevan said that in addition, asteroids have occasionally collided with each other and the Earth, producing a second generation of ‘gems’ such as impact diamonds, tektites (dark glassy pebble-like objects) and other natural glasses.

One example that will be presented during the lecture is the large occurrence of industrial grade diamonds at the 100 kilometre Popigai impact structure in Siberia, Russia.

“These diamonds were produced by the catastrophic impact of an asteroid into carbon-bearing rocks 35 million years ago.”

Dr Bevan is an Honorary Research Fellow at UWA and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Imaging and Applied Physics at Curtin University. His early research focused on the effects of catastrophic collisions between minor planets during the early history of the Solar System. His wider research interests extend to mineralogy, metallurgy and materials science. At the WA Museum he brings to bear thirty-seven years of research experience both in Australia and overseas.

The Harry Butler lecture series: In the Wild West is proudly presented by the WA Museum in partnership with Chevron Australia. The series showcases the work of Museum scientists, curators and associates in the areas of natural and social sciences.

LECTURE: Cosmic gems
WHEN: Thursday 8 September 2011, 7:00pm and Friday 9 September 2011, 10:00am
WHERE: Western Australian Museum – Geraldton, Museum Place, Batavia Coast Marina, Geraldton
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: www.museum.wa.gov.au/inthewildwest
COST: Entry by gold coin donation

Flora Perrella, Western Australian Museum T: 9212 3856 M: 0424027646