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

[Mark Bowling]

Hi Anne and all,

I haven't seen that title.  Do you mean "Field Guide to Meteors and Meteorites"?  What I have in mind is a book similar to "The Complete Metalsmith".  I haven't seen a book of similar style covering meteorite prep & preservation.  Maybe a lot of that material is spread throughout the internet, but so is the stuff covering metalsmithing.  I think it would be nice to have it in one handbook.

Best regards,
Mark

--- On Sun, 11/15/09, Impactika at aol.com <Impactika at aol.com> wrote:

> From: Impactika at aol.com <Impactika at aol.com>
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Guide to "Newbies" (was Meteorites & Competition)
> To: minador at yahoo.com, meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Date: Sunday, November 15, 2009, 11:45 AM
> 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
> 
>