[meteorite-list] Guide to "Newbies" (was Meteorites & Competition)

[Impactika at aol.com]

Hello Mark and List,
 
There is already a book that answers a lot of your questions, not all of 
them, but quite a few. It is the Handbook of Meteorites by O. Richard Norton. 
I certainly would recommend getting it.
 
Also I would like to add one thing to the discussion about helping new 
meteorite enthusiasts; It is not because you did not see a response on the List 
that no help of response was sent. It is often a whole lot better to email 
that person privately to ask for additional details to narrow down the 
problem, or simply to protect that person from some public embarassement. I know I 
probably write 50 private emails for every one posted here. 
 
And then we are not all always glued to our computer (believe it or not!!), 
personally I have a book (about meteorites of course) to translate as 
quickly as possible so it will be available in Tucson.
 
And Norbert Classen and I have the dubious honor of having to answer every 
question that comes in on the IMCA questions email address. Also time 
consuming. 
 
And right now I have a whole lot of snow to shovel!!!
Have a nice day.
 
Anne M. Black
_http://www.impactika.com/_ (http://www.impactika.com/) 
_IMPACTIKA at aol.com_ (mailto:IMPACTIKA at aol.com) 
Vice-President, I.M.C.A. Inc.
_http://www.imca.cc/_ (http://www.imca.cc/) 
 
 
 
In a message dated 11/15/2009 8:30:51 AM Mountain Standard Time, 
minador at yahoo.com writes:
Dear List,

I think Adam has some great points.  I think people forget how rare these 
things are.  Prices often don't reflect that.

I think people are more likely to give advice when a "newbie" asks 
something like, I've ruined several slices trying to do such & such, I've tried A 
and B, what else should I do.  it shows that they're paying their dues, but 
need a little advice which they can probably absorb quickly, saving an 
"expert's" time.  The sad thing is that a few slices/specimens have been ruined 
(maybe from "cheap, common NWA" material, but very rare, finite material 
nonetheless).

How do you balance the protection of trade secrets and your business vs. 
the ideal of preserving this wonderful material?  I suppose there are 
techniques which are common in parallel fields like lapidary, which one can assume 
they'll figure it out the hard way (both hard on their time/wallet but also 
hard on meteorites).  I would say one should be somewhat eager to help in 
that case, since keeping quiet won't deter them but only make possible the 
damage of more specimens.  However, offering help takes precious time, busy 
people lack.

What about the possibility of a guidebook highlighting some of these 
"common" things?  The first person(s) with the ability to write said tome could 
profit from the book sales, and many novices would benefit from the tips.  
Sensitive trade secrets could be mentioned by name and the disclaimer given 
that you will have to experiment at the peril of your collection and finances - 
or maybe find a willing mentor.  

The book would have to be relatively comprehensive - covering the common 
things which can be found in a lapidary book, but from a meteorite point of 
view (there might be possibility of tips like "it's wise to practice this 
technique using sandstone(?)  because it approximates XYZ meteorites very well, 
and you can rest assured that your learning curve isn't busting the bank").  
And it would also cover the meteorites specific topics like chemicals/oils 
to avoid, etc.  Maybe some explanations of the different textures you will 
encounter in meteorites.  Maybe a section on thin sections, epoxy plugs, and ?

There might be room for general things like an explanation meteorite 
classifications, collecting strategies, strategies for documenting a collection of 
specimens, a list of common vendors, etc.  There are lots of interesting, 
useful things that could be added that I can't imagine.  Of course, you would 
have to have environmental, health and safety concerns highlighted and 
repeated throughout the book!

I know this may sound a little out in left field, but it would help with 
the overall conservation of specimens and/or reduce poor, albeit, harmless 
results (as well as be an opportunity to make some money).  Could it result in 
increased completion?  Probably so, but those rushing head long into the 
wilderness probably can't be stopped anyway.  And those who are inspired by the 
book may take a stab at it, but realize it's expensive, hard work and go 
back to only buying/trading/collecting.  This book may exist, but I don't 
think so.  I can think of a few books which explain etching and nickel testing, 
but I can't think of anything which comprehensively covers the preservation 
and preparation of meteorite  specimens.

Personally, I will always choose to buy from a handful of dealers held in 
high regard, who have invaluable reputations to protect (or middlemen I trust 
as friends I can trust).  And some field hunters I know.  I've decided to 
avoid attractive specimens of questionable pedigree, unless I'm willing to 
make the often expensive choice to advertise them as "believed to be XYZ 
specimen".   So this book would not  cause the big dealers to lose my (rare) 
business.  When a "newbie" asks a question, you can point them to the "Bible".

So what do you guys think?  Crazy?  Brilliant?  (Someone with too much time 
on his hands tonight?)  Is this an issue that's already on the IMCA "to-do" 
list?  Is this not commercially viable?

(Cricket chirping‎?)  ;-)

Clear skies,
Mark