[meteorite-list] Moldavites on eBay

[tracy latimer]

After hearing about fake moldavites coming out of China, I nosed around eBay 
for a bit, and boy!  I have never seen so many misnamed, misrepresented, and 
just plain wrong pieces of glass and rock called moldavite.  I bought a lump 
of raw moldavite and a couple of faceted ones 4 or 5 years ago when I first 
started collecting meteorites, and I am glad I did, because I'd estimate at 
least 80% of what is out there right now is NOT moldavite (tsavorite, green 
quartz, or just tumbled chunks of beer bottles).  Since when is moldavite 
glow-in-the-dark green??  I am horrified.  The few that look like real 
moldavite are either overpriced, or the sellers have terms that frighten me 
as a buyer (pay exclusively with Western Union transfer to unknowns in 
eastern Europe, a notorious way to kiss your money goodby).

I know some of the danger signs, but I feel sorry for people who buy one of 
these mystery rocks and get burned.

Tracy Latimer