[meteorite-list] Is this a FAKE pallasite, why?

[ken newton]

Hi Miss Ma Lan,
First the page does not say it is a fake, only that it is 'suspect', the 
page header says:
Anyone can make a claim that they have found or own an authentic 
meteorite. It is entirely another matter to offer satisfactory proof of 
verification or classification from a Meteoritical Society approved 
institution. The photos below link to suspect meteorites. In the opinion 
of this author, these auctions may lack either proper verification, 
credible history or photo, or reasonable supposition to qualify. This 
does not mean that they are not meteorites, only 'suspect' in the 
opinion of this author." I am the page author and my reasons for deeming 
it 'suspect' are:

The auction in question:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230078449668
The only classification description given is "small cube cut of 
Meteorite from Minsk, Belarus, Russia....Stoney-iron pallasite." There 
is no record that it has been classified or published in the Metbul 
(http://tin.er.usgs.gov/meteor/metbull.php). However, it may be a 
properly tested meteorite and its classification has yet to be recorded. 
Or it may be a fake. To me, it is suspect.

Just because you see olivine does not necessarily mean it is a 
meteorite. For example (Shirokovsky- also 'Russia'): 
http://www.encyclopedia-of-meteorites.com/photos/Shirokovsky.jpg. 
Shirokovsky is a manufactured wrong. Thus proper classification and not 
just visual inspection is important.

Miss Ma Lan, I applaud your efforts to learn more about meteorite 
identification. China needs many more honest sellers like yourself. Most 
of the wrongs on eBay at this moment are from China sellers. Their scams 
do injury to all collectors and dealers. 
http://imca.cc/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=114

Best,
Ken Newton
http://home.earthlink.net/~magellon/mepage.html
IMCA #9632


Email from Chinaren76 wrote:

>Hi listees,
>
>Suspect auctions said this piece was a fake one.
>
>http://home.earthlink.net/~ebaywrong/sajan07.html
>
>Put down to the 9th piece
>
>All olivines and iron matrix are visible from the
>listing photos, why fake?
>
>Regards
>
>Miss Ma Lan
>Beijng, China
>
>
>
> 
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