[meteorite-list] Labeling specimens

[meteoriteman at comcast.net]

Mike and list, 

You can also drill a hole into it and insert a chip like they use for pet identification. Then epoxy over it. :)

Jim K

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Galactic Stone & Ironworks" <meteoritemike at gmail.com> 
To: meteoriteman at comcast.net 
Cc: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com 
Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 9:11:53 AM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central 
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Labeling specimens 

Hi Jim and List, 

I used a Dremel tool to carefully carve and identification number into 
all of my specimens.  I put the name of the specimen, date, origin, 
type, what I paid for it, catalogue number, and 5 things I like about 
it using only adjectives.  All of this information is carved in 
letters that are 1mm x 1mm.  If the specimen is too small for these 
engravings, then I buy new duplicate material which I then superglue 
to the existing specimen.  When the specimen becomes big enough to 
hold the engravings, I also make an extra note that shows how many 
additional pieces were superglued into place to provide room for the 
labels.  Finally, I dunk the specimen into clear acrylic and let it 
harden into a fun shape (like a star or rhombus), which I then put 
into my cabinet for posterity. ;) 

Best regards, 

MikeG 


On 2/28/10, meteoriteman at comcast.net <meteoriteman at comcast.net> wrote: 
> 
> Hi everyone, 
> 
> Thought I'd throw in my two cents on this interesting topic. First, painting 
> numbers on a meteorite for identification purposes is only good if you have 
> a master sheet that translates that number into a specific meteorite. If 
> that sheet is lost the painted number is useless. 
> 
> I prefer having photo's on the master sheet along with all the pertinent 
> information such as date of purchase, classification, weight, purchased 
> from, etc. etc. etc. I believe that a photo is as good as a fingerprint for 
> identification. A small label with some corresponding info and number 
> inserted into or on the container (jem jar or riker)for smaller specimens is 
> also helpful. 
> 
> If digital photography was available back in the day, I wonder how many 
> meteorites would have painted numbers on them. Personally purchasing a 
> meteorite with a number painted on it would be a turn off for me. Unless 
> it's a historic rare piece. 
> 
> Cheers, 
> Jim K 
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-- 
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Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone & Ironworks Meteorites 
http://www.galactic-stone.com 
http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone 
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