Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While
I find it amazing and disheartening that a meteorite can be looked upon as no good and almost worthless. In all my years as a collector I have never seen this, and I think it's sad in a way, as the goal of making money has somehow started to supersede the enjoyment of being a meteorite hunter and collector; at least to me. Researching the meteorites, driving to location, and hunting has always been such a love of mine, whatever I find. I remember on the Meteorite Men show when they found the Alpha stones and all the excitement there... seems to diminish it a bit now. Greg S. > Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:28:31 + > From: actionshoot...@carolina.rr.com > To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com; meteorite...@gmail.com > Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be > living With For a While > > Why not just slice them up, flood the market with large slices to drive the > price down, that way we can ALL afford a huge slice, and give them their > 25%?? If there are that many stones floating around would that not be an > option?? That way people that have always wanted a nice big slice could > afford one. I have always been told it "was better to make a fast nickel than > a slow dime". I am sure if the price was down around .25 to .50/gr people > would be buying them like crazy. > > Stuart McD > > Jason Utas wrote: > > Wouldn't the signed contracts dictate that Steve only return 25% of > > what was found? Since the agreement was 25/75 (mentioned in the > > video), the issue, it seems, could be entirely settled if Steve turned > > 25% of the finds over to the landowners. If the money's not there, it > > seems to me like that would be the quickest and easiest means of > > settling the dispute. > > Unless there's some reason for Steve to hold on to it all even though > > he can't sell it at present...that would seem to be the easiest > > solution. I see no reason not to do that, aside from the fact that > > the farmers wouldn't necessarily be getting money for their rocks. > > But since it doesn't look like they're getting any anyway, at least > > they'd have less reason to think they'd been cheated, which is clearly > > the case given what was said in the video. > > Jason > > > > > > > > On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 8:38 AM, wrote: > > > Bill, Phil, list, > > > It sounds like you and Phil are saying the same thing. Albeit in totally > > > diligent ways. I hate to say this but many of us agree with both of you. > > > Since Picasso, tiffany's and Lindsay Lohan are not too likely to become > > > partners in this venture. The venture may indeed turn out to be a flop. > > > I said it earlier that I know Steve has tried marketing these space gems. > > > But, it sounds like what I am hearing is that time is ticking and since > > > the de Beers had two things lacking here. Mega bucks and a monopoly on > > > virtually all of the worlds diamond caches. > > > This seems to NOT be the case with Steve and his cartel. > > > By Steve's own admission the money is tight. Others are already competing > > > for sales of these gems that they possess. And nobody is buying them. > > > Who could blame them? The potential for fake stones is uncontrollable. > > > Everything on the planet is being faked today and when you can fake > > > something with as little as a piece of paper. Well, this is simply to > > > easy to fake. With trust now at the forefront, how do we know these > > > stones came from meteorites? Please. I trust Steve and know him to be > > > honest but, you cannot depend on that in the real world. > > > I feel for this whole group because as I said before they are all good > > > people but, unless De Beers bails them out or they change the game plan > > > and sell meteorites. Nothing short of a miracle is going to save this > > > venture. > > > They say in Hollywood that any press is good press so. this may be good > > > for the show but looking at the big picture. IMHO this should end as > > > quickly as possible. > > > Carl > > > Carl or Debbie Esparza > > > Meteoritemax > > > > > > > > > bill kies wrote: > > >> > > >> Steve, > > >> > > >> If I'm correct, you're saying the deal was a flop and everyone has to > > >> take a gig. Disclaimers like this might help divert blame in the > > >> business world but where does th
Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While
Why not just slice them up, flood the market with large slices to drive the price down, that way we can ALL afford a huge slice, and give them their 25%?? If there are that many stones floating around would that not be an option?? That way people that have always wanted a nice big slice could afford one. I have always been told it "was better to make a fast nickel than a slow dime". I am sure if the price was down around .25 to .50/gr people would be buying them like crazy. Stuart McD Jason Utas wrote: > Wouldn't the signed contracts dictate that Steve only return 25% of > what was found? Since the agreement was 25/75 (mentioned in the > video), the issue, it seems, could be entirely settled if Steve turned > 25% of the finds over to the landowners. If the money's not there, it > seems to me like that would be the quickest and easiest means of > settling the dispute. > Unless there's some reason for Steve to hold on to it all even though > he can't sell it at present...that would seem to be the easiest > solution. I see no reason not to do that, aside from the fact that > the farmers wouldn't necessarily be getting money for their rocks. > But since it doesn't look like they're getting any anyway, at least > they'd have less reason to think they'd been cheated, which is clearly > the case given what was said in the video. > Jason > > > > On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 8:38 AM, wrote: > > Bill, Phil, list, > > It sounds like you and Phil are saying the same thing. Albeit in totally > > diligent ways. I hate to say this but many of us agree with both of you. > > Since Picasso, tiffany's and Lindsay Lohan are not too likely to become > > partners in this venture. The venture may indeed turn out to be a flop. > > I said it earlier that I know Steve has tried marketing these space gems. > > But, it sounds like what I am hearing is that time is ticking and since the > > de Beers had two things lacking here. Mega bucks and a monopoly on > > virtually all of the worlds diamond caches. > > This seems to NOT be the case with Steve and his cartel. > > By Steve's own admission the money is tight. Others are already competing > > for sales of these gems that they possess. And nobody is buying them. > > Who could blame them? The potential for fake stones is uncontrollable. > > Everything on the planet is being faked today and when you can fake > > something with as little as a piece of paper. Well, this is simply to easy > > to fake. With trust now at the forefront, how do we know these stones came > > from meteorites? Please. I trust Steve and know him to be honest but, you > > cannot depend on that in the real world. > > I feel for this whole group because as I said before they are all good > > people but, unless De Beers bails them out or they change the game plan and > > sell meteorites. Nothing short of a miracle is going to save this venture. > > They say in Hollywood that any press is good press so. this may be good for > > the show but looking at the big picture. IMHO this should end as quickly as > > possible. > > Carl > > Carl or Debbie Esparza > > Meteoritemax > > > > > > bill kies wrote: > >> > >> Steve, > >> > >> If I'm correct, you're saying the deal was a flop and everyone has to take > >> a gig. Disclaimers like this might help divert blame in the business world > >> but where does this leave humble collectors with no agenda other than the > >> desire to pick up a few space rocks when the rare opportunity presents > >> itself? Surely you remember those days, even though you aren't a > >> collector, as they were not all that long ago. > >> > >> Maybe you should return all the material you can. Try to make these people > >> happy and live up to the respect you convinced them you were worthy of. > >> > >> Bill > >> > >> > >> > To: altm...@meteorite-martin.de; > >> > meteorite-list-boun...@meteoritecentral.com; > >> > meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > >> > From: meteorh...@aol.com > >> > Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:26:35 + > >> > Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] The Trials and Tribulations in Dealing > >> > withLando wners > >> > > >> > Hello List, > >> > > >> > Wow, what an outpouring of comments today. > >> > > >> > Let me bring all of you up to speed on this. > >> > > >> > Five years ago, I partnered with around 10 or so friends and they > >> > combined some money, and I offered up some time and we started hunting > >> > for meteorites together. We choose to go to a certain location in Kansas > >> > where pallasites had been found in the past. > >> > > >> > We chose this location after I had my success locating some pallasite > >> > meteorites at the Brenham strewnfield. > >> > We got land leases to hunt, without any promise of any big money, no > >> > talk of Millions, or thousands or even hundreds of dollars to anyone. We > >> > just started hunting and we started finding meteorites. Some of my > >> > friends, at least 8 of us in the group, were
Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While
Hello Carl and List, I wanted to interject here that in pallasite crystals there are inclusions that have been found only in pallasite peridot and not in earthly peridot. This is how the GIA is able to distinguish between extraterrestrial peridot and earth found peridot. The GIA actually gave pallasite peridot its own name in the gem registry as extraterrestrial peridot, which is now being taught to gemologist as such. Sincerely, Jason Phillips - Original Message From: "cdtuc...@cox.net" To: meteorh...@aol.com; bill kies Cc: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Tue, February 22, 2011 10:38:13 AM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While Bill, Phil, list, It sounds like you and Phil are saying the same thing. Albeit in totally diligent ways. I hate to say this but many of us agree with both of you. Since Picasso, tiffany's and Lindsay Lohan are not too likely to become partners in this venture. The venture may indeed turn out to be a flop. I said it earlier that I know Steve has tried marketing these space gems. But, it sounds like what I am hearing is that time is ticking and since the de Beers had two things lacking here. Mega bucks and a monopoly on virtually all of the worlds diamond caches. This seems to NOT be the case with Steve and his cartel. By Steve's own admission the money is tight. Others are already competing for sales of these gems that they possess. And nobody is buying them. Who could blame them? The potential for fake stones is uncontrollable. Everything on the planet is being faked today and when you can fake something with as little as a piece of paper. Well, this is simply to easy to fake. With trust now at the forefront, how do we know these stones came from meteorites? Please. I trust Steve and know him to be honest but, you cannot depend on that in the real world. I feel for this whole group because as I said before they are all good people but, unless De Beers bails them out or they change the game plan and sell meteorites. Nothing short of a miracle is going to save this venture. They say in Hollywood that any press is good press so. this may be good for the show but looking at the big picture. IMHO this should end as quickly as possible. Carl Carl or Debbie Esparza Meteoritemax bill kies wrote: > > Steve, > > If I'm correct, you're saying the deal was a flop and everyone has to take a >gig. Disclaimers like this might help divert blame in the business world but >where does this leave humble collectors with no agenda other than the desire >to >pick up a few space rocks when the rare opportunity presents itself? Surely >you >remember those days, even though you aren't a collector, as they were not all >that long ago. > > Maybe you should return all the material you can. Try to make these people >happy and live up to the respect you convinced them you were worthy of. > > Bill > > > > To: altm...@meteorite-martin.de; > > meteorite-list-boun...@meteoritecentral.com; >meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > > From: meteorh...@aol.com > > Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:26:35 + > > Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] The Trials and Tribulations in Dealing >withLando wners > > > > Hello List, > > > > Wow, what an outpouring of comments today. > > > > Let me bring all of you up to speed on this. > > > > Five years ago, I partnered with around 10 or so friends and they combined >some money, and I offered up some time and we started hunting for meteorites >together. We choose to go to a certain location in Kansas where pallasites had >been found in the past. > > > > > We chose this location after I had my success locating some pallasite >meteorites at the Brenham strewnfield. > > > We got land leases to hunt, without any promise of any big money, no talk > > of >Millions, or thousands or even hundreds of dollars to anyone. We just started >hunting and we started finding meteorites. Some of my friends, at least 8 of >us >in the group, were very connected meteorite dealers and we decided to try to >sell some of our finds, we tried and we tried and we tried, and we sold one >meteorite. We contacted virtually all the institutions with notable meteorite >collections and none of them wanted to either buy or to trade for any of our >specimens. The one sale was made, and the land owner from where this meteorite >came from got his contracted percentage royalty, and he was VERY pleased. It >was >truly money from heaven for him. > > > > > The meteorites from this particular location have the reputation of being > > the >worst rusting meteorites known to man. F
Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While
when I went to West or ash creek the first place i went was to the local feed mill. I talked to the farmers and talked to them about what I knew about meteorites. I didnt give them any stories of ritches to be made. I did tell them of the educational value for thier kids and grandkids. I also showed them metorites i brought with me and told them as much as I knew what to look for. As a result I secured 10k acres of prime west hunting grounds. Right in the middle of the strewn field. Some of the other hunters who later asked permission to hunt with promises of money and ritches were told to Fo . Unfortunatly after securing prime teritory we got a phone call from home and my girls house was on fire. My truck was next to her house and i almost lost it too. I showed the farmers what to look for and the biggest piece of ash creek was the result. Cheers Steve Dunklee __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While
I agree, there is no harm in admitting failure and moving on as long as an honest effort was put into it and the intentions where right from the beginning. In my opinion, the biggest mistake was quoting outrageous values in the first place. A good dealer would recognize the true value and provide realistic figures to landowners. There is a track record for this meteorite dating back over 100 years and prices were known to be on the decline for the last decade. No amount of wishful thinking will bring up the price as the supply is dramatically increasing. To have a huffed farmer on the loose badmouthing people involved with meteorites is doing major damage. The farmers expectations seem way out of line with reality which is a major problem these days. Nearly every farmer I have met has been fairly pragmatic, honest and not all that quick to judge. A lot of them have college educations. This guy is really mad and people will listen. Everybody thinks a quick buck can be made by selling meteorites but in the real world, it takes a lot of hard work and patience. It would be in the interest of everybody to settle with this farmer immediately before his pride throws him into some kind of crusade. Best Regards, Adam - Original Message From: Greg Catterton To: Meteorite-list ; Jason Utas Sent: Tue, February 22, 2011 9:31:27 AM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While If the deal was not completed, would it not be more respectful to return all the material if 25% of cash can not be paid? I personally dont think its the landowners at fault or in the wrong from what I have read. He offered 25% of profits, if there is no profit, why not just return the material - all of it rather then 25%. Between this and the BS story of the WI main mass... which I cant understand why it was ever published... and West with hunters getting kicked off only to return to the land in different clothes ouch. Its going to start adding up guys. Greg Catterton www.wanderingstarmeteorites.com IMCA member 4682 On Ebay: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/wanderingstarmeteorites On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WanderingStarMeteorites --- On Tue, 2/22/11, Jason Utas wrote: > From: Jason Utas > Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be >living With For a While > To: "Meteorite-list" > Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 12:17 PM > Greg, All, > Since the money is apparently not being made, unless you > can propose > some new marketing method whereby Steve could sell all of > the finds in > a reasonable amount of time, I see returning 25% of them as > a fair > compromise. The impression I got from watching that > video was that > the farmer was angry at having trusted Steve with all of > the > meteorites that were on his land -- that were now gone, and > that he > didn't think he would be paid for. He said it > repeatedly - if you > have them, don't let them go. Yes the farmer wanted > his 25%, but I > have little doubt that he would appreciate the prompt > return of 25% of > the rocks found on his land -- versus a payout that might > not come for > decades. If they would be unhappy with such an > agreement, why not up > their percentage slightly to compensate? As bad as it > sounds to say > this, it's not like the material is selling, after > all. Given what > was said by both parties in the video, I believe we can > assume this to > be true... > Regards, > Jason > > > > On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 8:57 AM, Thunder Stone > wrote: > > > > All: > > > > In the video I get the sence that the landowner is mad > because he was promised a lot of money (I don't think he > wants his rocks back) he just wants the money he was > promosed; whether it is right or wrong, I think that is the > reason for him being angry and going to the media. I think > the best solution is to find the best way to market these > meteorites and sell them and get the money to the > landowners. > > > > Greg S. > > > > -------------------- > >> Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:47:02 -0800 > >> From: meteorite...@gmail.com > >> To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > >> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials > and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While > >> > >> Wouldn't the signed contracts dictate that Steve > only return 25% of > >> what was found? Since the agreement was 25/75 > (mentioned in the > >> video), the issue, it seems, could be entirely > settled if Steve turned > >> 25% of the finds over to the landowners. If the > money's not t
Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While
A while back I asked about gem quality periodot so i could have a ring made from a stone from the heavens for my Angel. There is a market if done right. Unfortunately the color of the periodots or paladots women do not find attractive. I ended up getting her a almost flawless half carat champane diamond surounded by white saphires. The total cost having the ring made was less than $400. I sincerely believe that marketing some of the black to brown stones not considered gem quality but still beautiful if cut right would be more accepted as paladots. When you think of a meteorite most people think black and burned. So go with what people expect to see and you will have something. Plus all terestrial periodots are green to yellow. There would be no faking a black stone and it has no scientific value. There will be no market for a light colored periodot from a meteorite with so many gem quality periodot from other sources. I have some black periodots from Brenham meteorites and they look awesome when cut __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While
If the deal was not completed, would it not be more respectful to return all the material if 25% of cash can not be paid? I personally dont think its the landowners at fault or in the wrong from what I have read. He offered 25% of profits, if there is no profit, why not just return the material - all of it rather then 25%. Between this and the BS story of the WI main mass... which I cant understand why it was ever published... and West with hunters getting kicked off only to return to the land in different clothes ouch. Its going to start adding up guys. Greg Catterton www.wanderingstarmeteorites.com IMCA member 4682 On Ebay: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/wanderingstarmeteorites On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WanderingStarMeteorites --- On Tue, 2/22/11, Jason Utas wrote: > From: Jason Utas > Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be > living With For a While > To: "Meteorite-list" > Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 12:17 PM > Greg, All, > Since the money is apparently not being made, unless you > can propose > some new marketing method whereby Steve could sell all of > the finds in > a reasonable amount of time, I see returning 25% of them as > a fair > compromise. The impression I got from watching that > video was that > the farmer was angry at having trusted Steve with all of > the > meteorites that were on his land -- that were now gone, and > that he > didn't think he would be paid for. He said it > repeatedly - if you > have them, don't let them go. Yes the farmer wanted > his 25%, but I > have little doubt that he would appreciate the prompt > return of 25% of > the rocks found on his land -- versus a payout that might > not come for > decades. If they would be unhappy with such an > agreement, why not up > their percentage slightly to compensate? As bad as it > sounds to say > this, it's not like the material is selling, after > all. Given what > was said by both parties in the video, I believe we can > assume this to > be true... > Regards, > Jason > > > > On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 8:57 AM, Thunder Stone > wrote: > > > > All: > > > > In the video I get the sence that the landowner is mad > because he was promised a lot of money (I don't think he > wants his rocks back) he just wants the money he was > promosed; whether it is right or wrong, I think that is the > reason for him being angry and going to the media. I think > the best solution is to find the best way to market these > meteorites and sell them and get the money to the > landowners. > > > > Greg S. > > > > -------------------- > >> Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:47:02 -0800 > >> From: meteorite...@gmail.com > >> To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > >> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials > and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While > >> > >> Wouldn't the signed contracts dictate that Steve > only return 25% of > >> what was found? Since the agreement was 25/75 > (mentioned in the > >> video), the issue, it seems, could be entirely > settled if Steve turned > >> 25% of the finds over to the landowners. If the > money's not there, it > >> seems to me like that would be the quickest and > easiest means of > >> settling the dispute. > >> Unless there's some reason for Steve to hold on to > it all even though > >> he can't sell it at present...that would seem to > be the easiest > >> solution. I see no reason not to do that, aside > from the fact that > >> the farmers wouldn't necessarily be getting money > for their rocks. > >> But since it doesn't look like they're getting any > anyway, at least > >> they'd have less reason to think they'd been > cheated, which is clearly > >> the case given what was said in the video. > >> Jason > >> > >> > >> > >> On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 8:38 AM, wrote: > >> > Bill, Phil, list, > >> > It sounds like you and Phil are saying the > same thing. Albeit in totally diligent ways. I hate to say > this but many of us agree with both of you. > >> > Since Picasso, tiffany's and Lindsay Lohan > are not too likely to become partners in this venture. The > venture may indeed turn out to be a flop. > >> > I said it earlier that I know Steve has tried > marketing these space gems. But, it sounds like what I am > hearing is that time is ticking and since the de Beers had > two things lacking here. Mega bucks and a monopoly on &g
Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While
Greg, All, Since the money is apparently not being made, unless you can propose some new marketing method whereby Steve could sell all of the finds in a reasonable amount of time, I see returning 25% of them as a fair compromise. The impression I got from watching that video was that the farmer was angry at having trusted Steve with all of the meteorites that were on his land -- that were now gone, and that he didn't think he would be paid for. He said it repeatedly - if you have them, don't let them go. Yes the farmer wanted his 25%, but I have little doubt that he would appreciate the prompt return of 25% of the rocks found on his land -- versus a payout that might not come for decades. If they would be unhappy with such an agreement, why not up their percentage slightly to compensate? As bad as it sounds to say this, it's not like the material is selling, after all. Given what was said by both parties in the video, I believe we can assume this to be true... Regards, Jason On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 8:57 AM, Thunder Stone wrote: > > All: > > In the video I get the sence that the landowner is mad because he was > promised a lot of money (I don't think he wants his rocks back) he just wants > the money he was promosed; whether it is right or wrong, I think that is the > reason for him being angry and going to the media. I think the best solution > is to find the best way to market these meteorites and sell them and get the > money to the landowners. > > Greg S. > > >> Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:47:02 -0800 >> From: meteorite...@gmail.com >> To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com >> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be >> living With For a While >> >> Wouldn't the signed contracts dictate that Steve only return 25% of >> what was found? Since the agreement was 25/75 (mentioned in the >> video), the issue, it seems, could be entirely settled if Steve turned >> 25% of the finds over to the landowners. If the money's not there, it >> seems to me like that would be the quickest and easiest means of >> settling the dispute. >> Unless there's some reason for Steve to hold on to it all even though >> he can't sell it at present...that would seem to be the easiest >> solution. I see no reason not to do that, aside from the fact that >> the farmers wouldn't necessarily be getting money for their rocks. >> But since it doesn't look like they're getting any anyway, at least >> they'd have less reason to think they'd been cheated, which is clearly >> the case given what was said in the video. >> Jason >> >> >> >> On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 8:38 AM, wrote: >> > Bill, Phil, list, >> > It sounds like you and Phil are saying the same thing. Albeit in totally >> > diligent ways. I hate to say this but many of us agree with both of you. >> > Since Picasso, tiffany's and Lindsay Lohan are not too likely to become >> > partners in this venture. The venture may indeed turn out to be a flop. >> > I said it earlier that I know Steve has tried marketing these space gems. >> > But, it sounds like what I am hearing is that time is ticking and since >> > the de Beers had two things lacking here. Mega bucks and a monopoly on >> > virtually all of the worlds diamond caches. >> > This seems to NOT be the case with Steve and his cartel. >> > By Steve's own admission the money is tight. Others are already competing >> > for sales of these gems that they possess. And nobody is buying them. >> > Who could blame them? The potential for fake stones is uncontrollable. >> > Everything on the planet is being faked today and when you can fake >> > something with as little as a piece of paper. Well, this is simply to easy >> > to fake. With trust now at the forefront, how do we know these stones came >> > from meteorites? Please. I trust Steve and know him to be honest but, you >> > cannot depend on that in the real world. >> > I feel for this whole group because as I said before they are all good >> > people but, unless De Beers bails them out or they change the game plan >> > and sell meteorites. Nothing short of a miracle is going to save this >> > venture. >> > They say in Hollywood that any press is good press so. this may be good >> > for the show but looking at the big picture. IMHO this should end as >> > quickly as possible. >> > Carl >> > Carl or Debbie Esparza >> > Meteoritemax >> > >> > >> >
Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While
All: In the video I get the sence that the landowner is mad because he was promised a lot of money (I don't think he wants his rocks back) he just wants the money he was promosed; whether it is right or wrong, I think that is the reason for him being angry and going to the media. I think the best solution is to find the best way to market these meteorites and sell them and get the money to the landowners. Greg S. > Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:47:02 -0800 > From: meteorite...@gmail.com > To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be > living With For a While > > Wouldn't the signed contracts dictate that Steve only return 25% of > what was found? Since the agreement was 25/75 (mentioned in the > video), the issue, it seems, could be entirely settled if Steve turned > 25% of the finds over to the landowners. If the money's not there, it > seems to me like that would be the quickest and easiest means of > settling the dispute. > Unless there's some reason for Steve to hold on to it all even though > he can't sell it at present...that would seem to be the easiest > solution. I see no reason not to do that, aside from the fact that > the farmers wouldn't necessarily be getting money for their rocks. > But since it doesn't look like they're getting any anyway, at least > they'd have less reason to think they'd been cheated, which is clearly > the case given what was said in the video. > Jason > > > > On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 8:38 AM, wrote: > > Bill, Phil, list, > > It sounds like you and Phil are saying the same thing. Albeit in totally > > diligent ways. I hate to say this but many of us agree with both of you. > > Since Picasso, tiffany's and Lindsay Lohan are not too likely to become > > partners in this venture. The venture may indeed turn out to be a flop. > > I said it earlier that I know Steve has tried marketing these space gems. > > But, it sounds like what I am hearing is that time is ticking and since the > > de Beers had two things lacking here. Mega bucks and a monopoly on > > virtually all of the worlds diamond caches. > > This seems to NOT be the case with Steve and his cartel. > > By Steve's own admission the money is tight. Others are already competing > > for sales of these gems that they possess. And nobody is buying them. > > Who could blame them? The potential for fake stones is uncontrollable. > > Everything on the planet is being faked today and when you can fake > > something with as little as a piece of paper. Well, this is simply to easy > > to fake. With trust now at the forefront, how do we know these stones came > > from meteorites? Please. I trust Steve and know him to be honest but, you > > cannot depend on that in the real world. > > I feel for this whole group because as I said before they are all good > > people but, unless De Beers bails them out or they change the game plan and > > sell meteorites. Nothing short of a miracle is going to save this venture. > > They say in Hollywood that any press is good press so. this may be good for > > the show but looking at the big picture. IMHO this should end as quickly as > > possible. > > Carl > > Carl or Debbie Esparza > > Meteoritemax > > > > > > bill kies wrote: > >> > >> Steve, > >> > >> If I'm correct, you're saying the deal was a flop and everyone has to take > >> a gig. Disclaimers like this might help divert blame in the business world > >> but where does this leave humble collectors with no agenda other than the > >> desire to pick up a few space rocks when the rare opportunity presents > >> itself? Surely you remember those days, even though you aren't a > >> collector, as they were not all that long ago. > >> > >> Maybe you should return all the material you can. Try to make these people > >> happy and live up to the respect you convinced them you were worthy of. > >> > >> Bill > >> > >> > >> > To: altm...@meteorite-martin.de; > >> > meteorite-list-boun...@meteoritecentral.com; > >> > meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > >> > From: meteorh...@aol.com > >> > Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:26:35 + > >> > Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] The Trials and Tribulations in Dealing > >> > withLando wners > >> > > >> > Hello List, > >> > > >> > Wow, what an outpouring of comments toda
Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While
Wouldn't the signed contracts dictate that Steve only return 25% of what was found? Since the agreement was 25/75 (mentioned in the video), the issue, it seems, could be entirely settled if Steve turned 25% of the finds over to the landowners. If the money's not there, it seems to me like that would be the quickest and easiest means of settling the dispute. Unless there's some reason for Steve to hold on to it all even though he can't sell it at present...that would seem to be the easiest solution. I see no reason not to do that, aside from the fact that the farmers wouldn't necessarily be getting money for their rocks. But since it doesn't look like they're getting any anyway, at least they'd have less reason to think they'd been cheated, which is clearly the case given what was said in the video. Jason On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 8:38 AM, wrote: > Bill, Phil, list, > It sounds like you and Phil are saying the same thing. Albeit in totally > diligent ways. I hate to say this but many of us agree with both of you. > Since Picasso, tiffany's and Lindsay Lohan are not too likely to become > partners in this venture. The venture may indeed turn out to be a flop. > I said it earlier that I know Steve has tried marketing these space gems. > But, it sounds like what I am hearing is that time is ticking and since the > de Beers had two things lacking here. Mega bucks and a monopoly on virtually > all of the worlds diamond caches. > This seems to NOT be the case with Steve and his cartel. > By Steve's own admission the money is tight. Others are already competing > for sales of these gems that they possess. And nobody is buying them. > Who could blame them? The potential for fake stones is uncontrollable. > Everything on the planet is being faked today and when you can fake something > with as little as a piece of paper. Well, this is simply to easy to fake. > With trust now at the forefront, how do we know these stones came from > meteorites? Please. I trust Steve and know him to be honest but, you cannot > depend on that in the real world. > I feel for this whole group because as I said before they are all good people > but, unless De Beers bails them out or they change the game plan and sell > meteorites. Nothing short of a miracle is going to save this venture. > They say in Hollywood that any press is good press so. this may be good for > the show but looking at the big picture. IMHO this should end as quickly as > possible. > Carl > Carl or Debbie Esparza > Meteoritemax > > > bill kies wrote: >> >> Steve, >> >> If I'm correct, you're saying the deal was a flop and everyone has to take a >> gig. Disclaimers like this might help divert blame in the business world but >> where does this leave humble collectors with no agenda other than the desire >> to pick up a few space rocks when the rare opportunity presents itself? >> Surely you remember those days, even though you aren't a collector, as they >> were not all that long ago. >> >> Maybe you should return all the material you can. Try to make these people >> happy and live up to the respect you convinced them you were worthy of. >> >> Bill >> >> >> > To: altm...@meteorite-martin.de; >> > meteorite-list-boun...@meteoritecentral.com; >> > meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com >> > From: meteorh...@aol.com >> > Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:26:35 + >> > Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] The Trials and Tribulations in Dealing >> > withLando wners >> > >> > Hello List, >> > >> > Wow, what an outpouring of comments today. >> > >> > Let me bring all of you up to speed on this. >> > >> > Five years ago, I partnered with around 10 or so friends and they combined >> > some money, and I offered up some time and we started hunting for >> > meteorites together. We choose to go to a certain location in Kansas where >> > pallasites had been found in the past. >> > >> > We chose this location after I had my success locating some pallasite >> > meteorites at the Brenham strewnfield. >> > We got land leases to hunt, without any promise of any big money, no talk >> > of Millions, or thousands or even hundreds of dollars to anyone. We just >> > started hunting and we started finding meteorites. Some of my friends, at >> > least 8 of us in the group, were very connected meteorite dealers and we >> > decided to try to sell some of our finds, we tried and we tried and we >> > tried, and we sold one meteorite. We contacted virtually all the >> > institutions with notable meteorite collections and none of them wanted to >> > either buy or to trade for any of our specimens. The one sale was made, >> > and the land owner from where this meteorite came from got his contracted >> > percentage royalty, and he was VERY pleased. It was truly money from >> > heaven for him. >> > >> > The meteorites from this particular location have the reputation of being >> > the worst rusting meteorites known to man. Far worse than Campo, Nantan, >> > Brenham
Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While
Bill, Phil, list, It sounds like you and Phil are saying the same thing. Albeit in totally diligent ways. I hate to say this but many of us agree with both of you. Since Picasso, tiffany's and Lindsay Lohan are not too likely to become partners in this venture. The venture may indeed turn out to be a flop. I said it earlier that I know Steve has tried marketing these space gems. But, it sounds like what I am hearing is that time is ticking and since the de Beers had two things lacking here. Mega bucks and a monopoly on virtually all of the worlds diamond caches. This seems to NOT be the case with Steve and his cartel. By Steve's own admission the money is tight. Others are already competing for sales of these gems that they possess. And nobody is buying them. Who could blame them? The potential for fake stones is uncontrollable. Everything on the planet is being faked today and when you can fake something with as little as a piece of paper. Well, this is simply to easy to fake. With trust now at the forefront, how do we know these stones came from meteorites? Please. I trust Steve and know him to be honest but, you cannot depend on that in the real world. I feel for this whole group because as I said before they are all good people but, unless De Beers bails them out or they change the game plan and sell meteorites. Nothing short of a miracle is going to save this venture. They say in Hollywood that any press is good press so. this may be good for the show but looking at the big picture. IMHO this should end as quickly as possible. Carl Carl or Debbie Esparza Meteoritemax bill kies wrote: > > Steve, > > If I'm correct, you're saying the deal was a flop and everyone has to take a > gig. Disclaimers like this might help divert blame in the business world but > where does this leave humble collectors with no agenda other than the desire > to pick up a few space rocks when the rare opportunity presents itself? > Surely you remember those days, even though you aren't a collector, as they > were not all that long ago. > > Maybe you should return all the material you can. Try to make these people > happy and live up to the respect you convinced them you were worthy of. > > Bill > > > > To: altm...@meteorite-martin.de; > > meteorite-list-boun...@meteoritecentral.com; > > meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > > From: meteorh...@aol.com > > Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:26:35 + > > Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] The Trials and Tribulations in Dealing > > withLando wners > > > > Hello List, > > > > Wow, what an outpouring of comments today. > > > > Let me bring all of you up to speed on this. > > > > Five years ago, I partnered with around 10 or so friends and they combined > > some money, and I offered up some time and we started hunting for > > meteorites together. We choose to go to a certain location in Kansas where > > pallasites had been found in the past. > > > > We chose this location after I had my success locating some pallasite > > meteorites at the Brenham strewnfield. > > We got land leases to hunt, without any promise of any big money, no talk > > of Millions, or thousands or even hundreds of dollars to anyone. We just > > started hunting and we started finding meteorites. Some of my friends, at > > least 8 of us in the group, were very connected meteorite dealers and we > > decided to try to sell some of our finds, we tried and we tried and we > > tried, and we sold one meteorite. We contacted virtually all the > > institutions with notable meteorite collections and none of them wanted to > > either buy or to trade for any of our specimens. The one sale was made, and > > the land owner from where this meteorite came from got his contracted > > percentage royalty, and he was VERY pleased. It was truly money from heaven > > for him. > > > > The meteorites from this particular location have the reputation of being > > the worst rusting meteorites known to man. Far worse than Campo, Nantan, > > Brenham or any other "ruster" one can think of. So we could understand why > > no one wanted to buy any more of this meteorite. It was just too big of a > > risk for people to take. > > > > As we kept finding more and more meteorites, we were challenged with the > > supply and demand issue. Much supply, virtually no demand. Not a good > > outlook. > > > > Then one of the dealers in the group reminded us of the high quality > > gemstones that had been faceted from the peridot in this meteorite. So we > > took the specimen in the worst condition out of our inventory and practiced > > trying to free up some of the olivine that was in it, and sure enough, > > there were some amazing gemstones produced. > > > > A year and a half ago, we went to all the land owners where we had found > > meteorites and told them that if we would liquidate all the meteorites we > > found, we probably would only get $0.10 or $0.15 per gram. But we felt th
Re: [meteorite-list] changed to: Trials and Tribulations We'll Be living With For a While
Steve, If I'm correct, you're saying the deal was a flop and everyone has to take a gig. Disclaimers like this might help divert blame in the business world but where does this leave humble collectors with no agenda other than the desire to pick up a few space rocks when the rare opportunity presents itself? Surely you remember those days, even though you aren't a collector, as they were not all that long ago. Maybe you should return all the material you can. Try to make these people happy and live up to the respect you convinced them you were worthy of. Bill > To: altm...@meteorite-martin.de; meteorite-list-boun...@meteoritecentral.com; > meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > From: meteorh...@aol.com > Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:26:35 + > Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] The Trials and Tribulations in Dealing > withLando wners > > Hello List, > > Wow, what an outpouring of comments today. > > Let me bring all of you up to speed on this. > > Five years ago, I partnered with around 10 or so friends and they combined > some money, and I offered up some time and we started hunting for meteorites > together. We choose to go to a certain location in Kansas where pallasites > had been found in the past. > > We chose this location after I had my success locating some pallasite > meteorites at the Brenham strewnfield. > We got land leases to hunt, without any promise of any big money, no talk of > Millions, or thousands or even hundreds of dollars to anyone. We just started > hunting and we started finding meteorites. Some of my friends, at least 8 of > us in the group, were very connected meteorite dealers and we decided to try > to sell some of our finds, we tried and we tried and we tried, and we sold > one meteorite. We contacted virtually all the institutions with notable > meteorite collections and none of them wanted to either buy or to trade for > any of our specimens. The one sale was made, and the land owner from where > this meteorite came from got his contracted percentage royalty, and he was > VERY pleased. It was truly money from heaven for him. > > The meteorites from this particular location have the reputation of being the > worst rusting meteorites known to man. Far worse than Campo, Nantan, Brenham > or any other "ruster" one can think of. So we could understand why no one > wanted to buy any more of this meteorite. It was just too big of a risk for > people to take. > > As we kept finding more and more meteorites, we were challenged with the > supply and demand issue. Much supply, virtually no demand. Not a good > outlook. > > Then one of the dealers in the group reminded us of the high quality > gemstones that had been faceted from the peridot in this meteorite. So we > took the specimen in the worst condition out of our inventory and practiced > trying to free up some of the olivine that was in it, and sure enough, there > were some amazing gemstones produced. > > A year and a half ago, we went to all the land owners where we had found > meteorites and told them that if we would liquidate all the meteorites we > found, we probably would only get $0.10 or $0.15 per gram. But we felt that > as gemstones, we could make more money for everyone. > > We decided to incorporate our partnership as Palladot Inc, a Kansas > corporation, that focused on selling meteorites, mostly in gemstone format. > I am the President, and Jason Phillips is our C.E.O.. We hired Charles > Ellias, who is a graduate gemologist with 25 years of experience in the color > gemstone market, to manage our operations, including overseeing the faceting, > grading and pricing and marketing of the gemstones. > > Our original contract only promised the landowners that they would earn their > royalty on the "wholesale" sale of the meteorites. We told all the land > owners we wanted to pursue the gemstone market as there was very little > demand in the meteorite world for the specimens as meteorites. It was one of > the landowners that actually suggested "pooling" all of the royalties > together, so we wouldn't have to melt down every meteorite, and this way all > the landowners could still share proportionately by their contribution in the > profits. > > It was at that point, that in the spirit of full discloser, we explained how > the gemstone market gave us the best up-side potential for earnings. If a > market could be built for these most amazing and rare gemstones with a > fascinating story, then we would have the supply to fill the demand created. > And yes, IF there would be millions of dollars of demand created, we would > have millions of dollars of gems. > > All of the land owners, except for one, agreed to pool their royalty interest > together and join us in the gem market. > The one landowner that didn't want to go to the gem business with us, was > happy to take his portion "in kind" and we gave him his meteorites. All the > others signe
