[meteorite-list] TEKTITES VS. TEARS

From: Robert Verish <bolidechaser_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:08:32 2004
Message-ID: <20020926080231.38570.qmail_at_web80305.mail.yahoo.com>

---------------- Original Message -----------------
[meteorite-list] TEKTITES VS. TEARS
Sterling K. Webb kelly_at_bhil.com
Thu, 26 Sep 2002 00:52:44 -0500

mafer wrote:
> Hi Sterling and list
> I still think the microwave test is valid and proves
> the same thing. Heat both in a microwave, and see
> the obsidian get too hot to handle (from water
> content).
> Mark
>
----------
Hi!
    Great idea! Tomorrow I'm going to microwave an
australite, an indochinite, a moldavite, a bediasite,
an apache tear, and a big chunk of wyoming obsidian
and see what happens.

Sterling
------------------------------------------------------

Hi Sterling and Mark,

Make sure that you use an asbestos pad under your
specimens, because the obsidian will heat to boiling
in less than a minute, and take care in handling the
tektites, because some of them will still get very hot
to the touch.

I've attached some correspondence that recounts some
of our earlier efforts at comparison testing.

Take Care
Bob V.

----------- Attached Message ------------
--- Twink Monrad <monrad_at_azstarnet.com> wrote:
> Yesterday Jim did the torch test on the specimens
> you sent, Bob. He also torched some more AZites,
> with our usual results - glowed red, then returned
> to original state.
>
> Also torched a very smooth-surfaced, alleged Apache
> tear purchased here, and
> it glowed red and returned to normal state.
>
>
> All following were sent to JK by RV:
>
> Indochinite: glowed red, returned to original
> state.
>
> Mouth of Adams Canyon, Antelope Valley: glowed red,
> cooled with white foam appearance on outside.
>
> Davis Creek obsidian: Used a cut-off end piece:
> crumbled apart as it
> turned a light red color.
>
> Rachael, Nevada obsidian: Glowed bright orange,
> returned to normal state
> except for a tiny area with white foam.
>
> No. CA. cloudy banded obsidian: glowed bright
> orange, did not break,
> returned to original state.
>
> No. CA (probably) : Used a cut-off end piece:
> turned bright orange and
> broke into many pieces.
>
>
> Bob, do you wish to have any of these returned to
> you for further study?
>
> Thanks for your interest, Twink Monrad
>
 
Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 18:58:44 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Robert Verish" <bolidechaser_at_yahoo.com> To:
"Monrad" <monrad_at_azstarnet.com>
CC: golddoc_at_hotmail.com

Subject: Re: JK torch test 8/19/00

Hi Twink,

Thanks for the detailed list of results, and thank Jim
for me for running the tests. I think the results are
very interesting. Please let me know what kind of
conclusions you and Jim are drawing from all of your
tests.

I think the results could be important, considering
the high bid prices on similar specimens like the item
in the following recent eBay auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=403945268

A lot of money for a 3.8 gram stone that could very
easily be "just an Apache Tear"!

:-)
bob v.


Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 19:05:13 -0700
To: "Robert Verish" <bolidechaser_at_yahoo.com>
From: "Monrad" <monrad_at_azstarnet.com>

Subject: Re: JK torch test 8/19/00
         
Since one of your specimens, the large obsidian chip,
also did not change, it looks like the results are
inconclusive, unless there is something special about
marenkenite (low percentage of hydration), also...

Just had a note from Darryl Futrell who said that red
hot is not hot enough, that we need white hot, so when
Jim has the inclination may try it again.
Will keep you posted,
Twink
------------ End of Attached Message ------------





__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo!
http://sbc.yahoo.com
Received on Thu 26 Sep 2002 04:02:31 AM PDT