[meteorite-list] Self Proclaimed Pairing List

[Martin Altmann]

The easiest way for a collectors to avoid to buy a Zag instead of an Amalga:

If the stone is so fresh and displays a crust, which you'd like to touch
only with gloves,
fresh like a Bensour for instance,
then it's an Amgala for sure.

I never saw a Zag, which could mess with Amgala in freshness.
Even when Zag came on market first, it was quite impossible to get a sample
without stainings.

Cheeeers!
Martin

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Adam Hupe" <raremeteorites at comcast.net>
To: <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 5:05 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Self Proclaimed Pairing List


> Good Morning,
>
> It is funny when I mentioned the Amgala (Working Name) issue several
months
> ago I was met with criticism by a well known dealer.  It is my belief that
> over 4 kilograms of Zag cleaned with an air abrasion tool has been put
into
> circulation as Amgala.  We were offered over 4 kilograms of this material
> and became suspicious when we cut a sample and found oxidation staining
had
> penetrated the complete slice.  We also found some with a black lithology,
> something never found in Amgala.  Some pieces had red clay imbedded in
> contraction cracks that an air abrasion tool missed.  There is only one in
> Eurfud.
>
> We sent the material back and told the overseas dealer what he was
offering
> was cleaned Zag.  He denied any involvement in the cleaning, blamed it on
> somebody else and said it would never be offered again.  Then I see
another
> dealer selling the exact same thing who will not accept that he has been
> hoodwinked.  I posted some of the following things to look out for in the
> past:
>
> Contraction cracks- Rarely found in Amgala
> Red clay in cracks
> Oxide staining throughout a complete slice - Amgala has surface staining
> only
> Black lithology
>
> If you see any of the above contact your dealer.
>
> Yes, you can make the outside of Zag look almost like Amgala with the
proper
> tool but internal oxidation is impossible to disguise.  If you look very
> careful at images posted around the internet you will know who the dealer
> is.  It is our hope that he will admit he is in error and offer refunds.
> This applies to anybody else engaged in this scam.
>
> If in doubt, check it out!
>
> Adam