[meteorite-list] Thin Sections

From: meteorites_at_space.com <meteorites_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:43:29 2004
Message-ID: <20010704025944.15621.cpmta_at_c000.snv.cp.net>

On Tue, 03 July 2001, "Frank Cressy" wrote:

>
> Hi Steve and all,
> I agree with a lot of what you've said but would also like to acknowledge
> two Michaels (Blood and Cottingham) who both also have been selling large
> quantities and varieties of reasonably priced thin sections for at least the
> past year. Both these people must also be applauded in addition to Dean
> Bessey for really opening up this area of collecting. This is not meant to
> slight any of those people who have supplied small quantities of thin
> sections to a rather select few over the years. I believe though that the
> recent rapid growth in thin section collecting is, in part due to the
> availability of the rather inexpensive Tobin polarascope attachment for the
> MBC-10 microscope, which has allowed many people to view thin sections
> without the associated high cost of buying a polarizing petrographic
> microscope. Another three cheers here!
>
> Now, at my last count, there were almost a dozen dealers in meteorite thin
> sections. Quite impressive growth if you ask me.
> Regards,
> Frank
>


I agree Frank, the two Michaels (Blood and Cottingham) should also be acknowledged, and my omission in mentioning them was not ment to be a slight to them and their thin section efforts.

If they are offended, I apologize. (Both I consider friends).

Dean Bessey, who I have not met and have had very heated arguments over Ebay and specks on this forum seems in my estimation to taken the ball and run with it. "Bessey's Ebay Thin Section Sunday" is very prominent and has brought much attention to what was otherwise for the layman a very arcane interest-- reserved only for the serious meteorite researcher.
  
Go to Ebay even now, and type in "Thin Section"... every piece listed as of 5 minutes ago is Bessey's offering. Though I hate Ebay with a passion that need not be further explained, I will concede that it is a very valuable forum for popularizing meteorites and things meteoritical-- thin sections being one of them.

And I certainly like this development as it sort of *brushes aside* the specks making way for something much better for the hobby and the field of meteorite collecting in general.

(I bought my first "speck"-- a thin section of Chassigny from Steve Arnold last week, and this is the only way that I will acquire a speck.)

I say this to make a point-- a thin section, even if it is small is by far more scientifically valuable than the same sized speck in a plastic box. Its identity is preserved and the specimen is preserved to be seen in all its glory under the polarizing microscope or other instruments.

I think this is a terrific development, and I see it as a move that could supplant the speck trade. If a meteorite is so rare that one can have it only in the form of an unverifiable speck in a box-- it is by FAR better to have it made into a thin section where its mineralogy can be studied.

And more importantly its identity confirmed as well as preserved.

Steve Schoner.
AMS

 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <meteorites_at_space.com>
> To: <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2001 12:09 AM
> Subject: [meteorite-list] Thin Sections
>
>
> > Subject: Thin Sections
> > To: meteorite-list_at_yahoo.com
> > From: meteorites_at_space.com
> > Date: 03 Jul 2001 00:06:29 PDT
> >
> > With regards to the recent developments in meteorite thin sections I think
> that Dean Bessey must be applauded. His efforts are opening up a whole new
> feild of meteorite collecting that will in the long term be very rewarding
> as well a productive to the hobby.
> >
> > Thin sections reveal their identity by virtue of their structure, and not
> so much their weight. Previously they were virtually unobtainable, but now
> for reasonable prices some very rare as well as interesting meteorites can
> be had. And each has its signature clearly evident in its minerology.
> >
> > The identity of such can not be disputed.
> >
> > In the future I see an expanding market for these, and a great reference
> source for those really interested in the study of meteorites.
> >
> > As a collector I think that my focus will be directed more toward these
> than having larger specimens-- especially the rare Lunar and Martian ones,
> where their identity can be confirmed by use of a petrologic microscope.
> >
> > And what beautiful things they are when viewed with such an instrument!
> >
> > Regards,
> > Steve Schoner
> > http://www.geocities.com/american_meteorite_survey
> >
> >
> >
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Received on Tue 03 Jul 2001 10:59:44 PM PDT