[meteorite-list] whole stone concerns

[Richard Montgomery]

Hello List.

This latest Mifflin business has me very disturbed, and brings up a question 
I've been meaning to ask you all for a while now:  How can I be sure that 
any whole stone be properly labeled as classified?

Of course there are obvious stones like Camel Donga, (all those that stand 
alone with external character)...but up until now, only my trust in 
reputations has allowed me to be comfortable, along with provenance and 
labels, chain of custody, etc.   Yet, now I'll hesitate to acquire whole 
stones (one of my favorites is to collect wholes and stand-up-by-themselves 
specimens)...without knowing the back-story comes from someone with honor.

I will, however, not hesitate to buy specimens from those of you whole 
continue to demonstrate honor.  Reputations are as important as thorough 
classifications.

This recent incident is exactly what we don't need.  If there is honor 
anywhere, it has been demonstrated by the refundings/returns of those 
unfortunate to have been affected.  Congrats to those of you who did.

Only finding the head of the snake will put this all to rest.  Or, we all 
carry microprobes in our backpacks.

Richard Montgomery