[meteorite-list] ANSWER - whole stone concerns

Sun May 8 22:57:18 EDT 2011

No fakes in my collection!

Well that's not entirely true.

Mike Gilmer recently sent me some really cool looking iron meteoerwrongs but 
he identified them as such!

Thanks Mike.  I really don't collect meteorwrongs but they are interesting 
in their own right.  There is a thread on one of the cloudy nights forums 
concerning a certain book which is passed from one amateur astronomer to 
another.  The only requirement is that the person obtaining  the book send 
it to someone else.  No money exchanges hands - just the book.

Anybody want to see these iron "wrongs."  Just email me and I will send them 
along but you have to do the same for someone else.

-Walter Branch

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Blood" <mlblood at cox.net>
To: "Walter Branch" <waltbranch at bellsouth.net>; "Meteorite List" 
<meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2011 9:48 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] ANSWER - whole stone concerns

> OK,
>        I think all of you are right. Therefore, you should all send me
> Your entire meteorite collections - then I will be stuck with any and
> All fakes in your collections.
>        Just trying to be helpful, Michael
>
>
> On 5/8/11 5:17 PM, "Walter Branch" <waltbranch at bellsouth.net> wrote:
>
>> Hello Michael,
>>
>> It really is not that easy.  As this example illustrates, even honest
>> dealers can be duped.  I purchase meteorites from a very small list of
>> dealers.  Very small.  I have done business with some for 15 years; two I
>> started buying from this year.  All have earned my complete trust.
>>
>> However...
>>
>> While I trust these dealer to not intentionally dupe me, how do I know 
>> they
>> trust their sources and they have done their due diligence in the same 
>> way I
>> have?
>>
>> As an example, I applaud Anne Black for setting the example of providing
>> provenance for her meteorites but how am I assured the person who sold a
>> given specimen it to Anne did what Anne and I would have done?  BTW, I 
>> trust
>> Anne.
>>
>> I sold some meteorites recently.  I listed the dealers I purchased the
>> meteorites from.  I sold one last week that I obtained from Matt Morgan. 
>> I
>> told the purchaser I got it from Matt.  Did Matt vett his source, as I 
>> have
>> done Matt?  I don't know.   Did the person before them?  I don't know. 
>> BTW,
>> I trust Matt.
>>
>> Remember the, what was it, sandstone dinosaur egg incident?
>>
>> As we can see, the chain of custody can become quite complicated.
>>
>> I have been concerned for a long time now about this sort of thing
>> happening.  The surprising thing to me is that it did not happen sooner.
>>
>> This whole incident is really getting to me. I have had it on my mind all
>> day.
>>
>> -Walter Branch
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Michael Blood" <mlblood at cox.net>
>> To: "Richard Montgomery" <rickmont at earthlink.net>; "Meteorite List"
>> <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
>> Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2011 4:53 PM
>> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] ANSWER - whole stone concerns
>>
>>
>>>> How can I be sure that
>>>> any whole stone be properly labeled as classified?
>>> --
>>> Easy,
>>>        We have only been saying this on the list since
>>> The list began: Buy from a dealer known for honesty
>>> And integrity.
>>>
>>>        God bless the IMCA and the hard workers of the
>>> Board BUT I do not consider an IMCA number to be
>>> The equivalent of "honesty and integrity." I know an
>>> example where two new dealers applied. One was accepted
>>> The other was told to, essentially, get some more experience
>>> Under his belt. Well, I knew him personally as a person
>>> Of honor. The irony was I also knew the other "dealer" and
>>> That individual had attempted to increase price on me
>>> AFTER I had sent money for a new fall.  Between the
>>> Two, there was no question in my mind in whom I would
>>> Have confidence. So, no, I do not consider an   IMCA logo
>>> Sufficient in and of itself to "guarantee" authenticity. (I
>>> DO consider it sufficient to pursue action if I am defrauded,
>>> However)
>>>
>>>        Additionally, failing to KNOW people who have long
>>> Standing honorable dealings - such as ET, Mike Farmer,
>>> Anne Black, Geoff Notkin, etc, etc, etc, then I would take
>>> An unknown IMCA member over an entirely unknown
>>> entity. In fact, I would not deal with an entirely unknown
>>> Entity again - unless I KNEW what I was getting was
>>> What I was paying for through other sources than the
>>> Seller. (IE I could see by looking at it, it has distinctive
>>> Features unique to that fall, the seller bought his stash
>>>> From someone I know, etc).
>>>
>>>        So, the answer to your question is simple: Buy only
>>>> From dealers you know AND TRUST or, at the very least
>>> from IMCA members.
>>>
>>>        Warm regards, Michael
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 5/8/11 8:54 AM, "Richard Montgomery" <rickmont at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> 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
>>>>
>>>> ______________________________________________
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>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> "Teachin' a pig to dance is a waste of time and it irritates the pig"
>>> Mark Twain
>>> --
>>> 1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it,
>>> 2. Whenever you're right, shut up.
>>> Shaquille O'Neal
>>>
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________
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>>
>
>
> --
> "Teachin' a pig to dance is a waste of time and it irritates the pig"
> Mark Twain
> --
> 1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it,
> 2. Whenever you're right, shut up.
> Shaquille O'Neal
>
> 