[meteorite-list] Adam's NWA 2989 Acapulcoite

[MARK BOSTICK]

Hello list,

To get back to the spirit of Bernd's e-mail.

This NWA acapulcoite, a.k.a., NWA 2656, NWA 2714 and NWA 2989 (others?) is 
one of the better deals on the market right now.  (And Blaine Reed I think 
has the best price). The meteorite is somewhat weathered and slices very in 
weathering, the darker....due to the high amount of metal, the more 
weathered portions.  My slice, sold to me as NWA 2656, looks like Adam's NWA 
2656...which is on the lower end of this meteorite's weathering...from the 
slices I have seen at least.

In case you thinking, I know acapucolites are achondrites....but just what 
are these tourist city sounding meteorites really?

Acapucolites are igneous rocks composed primarily of olivine, bronzite, and 
plagioclase and with nickel-iron as principal minerals.  They also have 
accessory minerals of clinopyroxene, troilite, and schreibersite (among 
others).

I bought a thin section of the acapulcoite NWA 1054 (paired?) in Tucson and 
was surprized at how small the mineral crystals are in acapulcoites when I 
got it under the scope at home.  The matrix appears much finer then other 
achondrite's in my collection and predictably, the olivine and plagioclase 
light up nicely in crossed polars.  I haven't figured out how to take thin 
section photos with my new camera but I will work on it and share some with 
the list if interested.

Anyway, this meteorite classification type has been selling in the $200-$300 
range until recently.  If you don't have a piece....keep your eye open.  Or 
give Adam or John and e-mail...or possibly Blaine a call.

Clear Skies,
Mark Bostick
www.meteoritearticles.com