[meteorite-list] Meteorite market trends - a critical note

[Sterling K. Webb]

Al wrote:
> "...meteorites by the truck load. (How much would it 
> cost to go to an asteroid and harvest a truck load, or 
> tons and bring it back, it may be that meteorites are a 
> whole lot cheaper than we think!!"

    For any object smaller than a kilometer or so, it's likely
more cost effective just to move the asteroid to Earth-Moon
space, in orbit around one or the other. I suspect lunar orbit
would be the preferred option as folks get nervous about
asteroids headed toward Earth.

    Of course, it'll be a mining claim, but souvenirs are always
good publicity.


Sterling K. Webb
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "AL Mitterling" <almitt at kconline.com>
To: <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:02 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Meteorite market trends - a critical note


Hi Doug and all,

Doug, I didn't know that I was giving Darren and Walter moral criticism. 
You seem to be speaking or interpreting for me in a way that my message 
wasn't meant. I don't blame Darren for wanting cheap specimens and he is 
certainly entitled to wish for what he wants but I see it as a 
unrealistic and it is at this time. I simply disagree with with him. The 
_market_ determines the price along with many factors. Posting  messages 
here on the list it seems someone will always twist things around in 
ways you never thought they could. Seems like you have to think of every 
scenario and qualify your post with far more words than you should, so 
as not to be misunderstood. Is that even possible?? It is also a part of 
the fun.

I am very glad that the NWA's came along and I have many fine examples 
in my own collection. Any specimen that is found and documented is a 
good thing and provides new interesting specimens. Because of these 
specimens many people can collect nice pieces at very low prices. Trades 
brought about other historic specimens that hadn't been seen on the 
market for sometime. I am sure that some people want NWA's even cheaper 
than they can buy them in the past and now. I personally want everyone 
who desires to own a meteorite, the ability to own one and at little 
cost as possible. There are specimens that will always have more people 
wanting them, than there is material and the price of those will always 
be higher. Some people won't even spend a dollar at the shows I do to 
buy a meteorite and I personally think if they won't spend the money 
then they deserve none. Some exceptions are to the many kids I have 
given a space rocks to because they showed me a genuine interest and 
earned the specimen.

I'll walk you through my thoughts on what I was trying to say. Darren, 
wants to be able to buy meteorites by the truck load. I compared that to 
my desire to be able to buy automobiles cheaper than they are now as an 
example. Nothing wrong with that in either respect, except I don't think 
either is realistic based on the efforts of car makers to make cars, 
materials, labor, parts, energy, buildings and all efforts to build  the 
item and so forth. I may want the car of my desire for 10 cents on the 
dollar but because there will be millions of other people who will offer 
more than the 10 cents on the dollar, I don't have a chance to buy at 
that price. Because there are hundreds of others who will pay more for a 
meteorite means that Darren is going to have to wait  a long time to buy 
meteorites by the truck load. (How much would it cost to go to an 
asteroid and harvest a truck load, or tons and bring it back, it may  be 
that meteorites are a whole lot cheaper than we think!! Not to mention 
you get a truck load of virtually the same thing unless you did deep for 
more metamorphosed types or make multipal stops. Who would be paying for 
the asteroid collector's time effort and labor??)

Meteorites are an investment. Just like a car is an investment in 
transportation. Most people buying them for what they represent and I 
doubt are worried too much about loosing a little or gaining a little. 
We are the current caretakers of these rocks which will/should outlast 
us (as long as someone doesn't atomize them) and will past into hands of 
others in the future. I think it would be real nice and realistic to see 
most of my time, effort and money out of what I own when it comes time 
to part with them. It use to be common that you could see about an five 
to ten percent increase in the value of your specimens per year prior to 
the NWA Meteorite Rush. Do I think people should invest in them solely 
for profit, not at all. I think you should collect if you are interested 
in what they are and what they represent.

Doug, I am not saying you should feel good about spending more money on 
meteorites. I am saying you will pay what they are worth or figure a way 
to acquire them but in reality you will pay what they are worth in time, 
money, and effort, unless you have some system that I don't know about.

Meteorites by the truck loads sounds good but it is fantasy, wishing for 
the market to crash is wishing for a bad economy in my opinion and I am 
glad to earn the specimens I spend my money on and stimulate the economy 
so others can live. It's what makes the world go around. There will 
always be people who want something for less (or nothing) but you got to 
jump on the merry go round if you want a ride. I'd be more than glad to 
address other misunderstandings you have about my feelings on the 
meteorite market Doug, just go ahead and ask.

--AL Mitterling
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