[meteorite-list] The price is too high

[Mark Bailey]

Hi Gang,

Just a few thoughts here. I’ve collected meteorites for many years. It started as a reaction to the beauty and wonder of the whole topic. Pieces from the origins of our Solar System! What a marvelous, delightful, neuron firing concept! You could actually come into direct physical contact with the depths of time—shards of time itself, in a way.

I was a public school Astronomy teacher and couldn’t afford it but my wife was supportive and I slowly, carefully collected a nice assemblage over the years. I bought my first from Bob Hague. A couple of Allendes and a small slice of Canyon Diablo. We would occasionally visit the Tucson Gem and Mineral show and I’d pick up a few more. And then occasionally the Denver Show. 

But a disturbing trend has become apparent over the years. The joy and wonder have become second to the insatiable greed of the vender. Not all of you, certainly, but enough to leave an impression. This last September in Denver I could not find a deal anywhere. Prices were so unbelievably high I only got one. A small walnut-sized windowed Vaca Muerta for $400. I was struck by how our awe inspiring rocks from space have turned into just another commodity. No awe, no joy, no beauty. Just money. I’m disappointed and saddened it’s come to this.

I’m offering no solutions. No one would listen if I tried. Just an observation. It might be interesting to discuss this.

Mark Bailey