[meteorite-list] Labeling specimens

[rocks at projectargus.com]

I'm not sure if anyone else remembers this, but there were some 
Muonionalusta etched slices on eBay about a year ago.  They had the word 
MUONIONALUSTA etched in on one side in big letters - about six inches 
across.  On the other side, they had something like 67°46'N, 23°15'E... this 
was also several inches across.  I'm not even kidding.

They were hideous, but at least future owners won't mistake their identity.

--Noah


----- 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 10:11 AM
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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>
>
> -- 
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone & Ironworks Meteorites
> http://www.galactic-stone.com
> http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone
> ------------------------------------------------------------
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