[meteorite-list] Samples

[JKGwilliam]

I know that many of the Arizona meteorite hunters had loyalties to 
University of Arizona and/or Arizona State University in the 
past.   Several years ago, it wasn't unusual to get a classification 
(free) done in just a few months depending on who you knew at which 
school and what you relationship to them was. The Arizona 
universities were excited to see more Arizona material start showing 
up. But as time went by and meteorite hunting popularity increased, 
so did  the amount of material submitted to labs for 
classification.  I don't know if I'm right, but I suppose that the 
meteorite scientists might have lost their interest in the common 
stuff after seeing so much of it.  Prior to that, there was very 
little material submitted for classification.

Just my opinion,
John
At 12:17 PM 12/29/2007, Mark Crawford wrote:
>John/list,
>
>At the risk of sounding naive, why /wouldn't/ you pay for 
>professional classification?  If Bessey's fee of around $80 is 
>typical (and I admit, I don't know if that's the case), why would 
>you risk lost samples or interminable delays?  Why not just add an 
>extra buck/gramme to the sale price?
>
>I guess what I'm asking is, what's the non-financial reason for 
>lodging with a non-fee-charging establishment?  Do 'professional' 
>labs only validate a limited range of types (eg - Bathurst don't do 
>irons)? Do you have no say over where the type specimen gets lodged?
>
>Mark
>
>
>JKGwilliam wrote:
>>I suppose the only solution is to pay for the classification 
>>services so true "professionals" will be handling your 
>>specimen.  Please don't misunderstand my use of the word 
>>"professional."  I'm talking about scientists who are also business 
>>professionals.