Hello List, I am sorry, I know some of you know this guy. "Comeaux said that meteorites are identified by polishing down a sample and looking for reflective nickel-iron specs. He said that magnetite rocks are commonly mistaken for meteorites. "
I have talked to this guy once before. The above, is exactly what he does when you show him an expected meteorite! He checks it with a magnet and if there is a polished surface, he looks for nickel-iron specks and chondrules. If it does not pass these three tests, he hands it back and says it is not a meteorite, that's it! If you give this guy a weathered achondrite, lunar or Martian meteorite he will tell you it is not a meteorite!!!! I wish some one would show this guy some real meteorites! I think this poor lady needs a second opinion! Thanks, Tom The proudest member of the IMCA 6168 ----- Original Message ----- From: Ron Baalke <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Meteorite Mailing List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 8:54 AM Subject: [meteorite-list] Officials Warn Of Fake Meteorites Being Sold > > > http://www.azdailysun.com/non_sec/nav_includes/story.cfm?storyID=68415 > > Officials Warn Of Fake Meteorites Being Sold > Seth Muller > Arizona Daily Sun > June 25, 2003 > > Staff members of the Arizona State University Center for Meteorite Studies > are warning people about sales of rocks reported as meteorites, which are > originating from northern Arizona. > > Blane Comeaux with the ASU meteorite program said that he received rock > samples from Patti Harwood of Eureka, Calif., and she asked for the staff > to verify the rocks as meteorites. Comeaux said that the samples were not > from space, but instead a terrestrial, non-valuable rock known as magnetite. > > Comeaux reported that a man from New Mexico also purchased $400 in rocks > he thought to be meteorites, when in fact they were magnetite rocks. He > said that both people purchased the rocks from a dealer in the Holbrook area. > > In a phone interview, Harwood said she visited a shop in Holbrook in > September 2001, and she traded $1,200 worth of fossils she had for two > supposed meteorites. Recently, she purchased a meteorite with certificate > of authenticity from a man in California for $300, and noticed a difference > in appearance. > > She decided to send the suspicious rocks to ASU for authentication, and > received a letter from ASU with the findings. > > Authorities in the Holbrook area reported that they did not have any > investigations going on concerning the sales of fake meteorites. > > Comeaux said that meteorites are identified by polishing down a sample and > looking for reflective nickel-iron specs. He said that magnetite rocks are > commonly mistaken for meteorites. > > The space rocks have become big business. It's not unusual for a person to > pay upwards of $15,000 for a meteorite. Comeaux recommends potential buyers > ask to see a letter or certificate of verification before purchasing one. > > > ______________________________________________ > Meteorite-list mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list > ______________________________________________ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list