[meteorite-list] Item #2175659927

From: Steve Schoner <steve_schoner_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:25:43 2004
Message-ID: <20030523212423.31551.qmail_at_web12701.mail.yahoo.com>

As for me, I make it clear that I won't send back
samples at my site and in e-mail. This is to reduce
the huge amount of time that it take me to go back to
the Post Office, and the associated postal costs.

It is a practice that I stick by, and it also reduces
the huge volume of otherwise meteorwrongs that come my
way.

(You will be amazed at how many rocks come my way)

And also, should the specimen that they sent be be a
meteorite, further investigation will be necessary, in
which case the piece, or at least a major portion of
it will be sent to a university for destructive
testing.

Steve Schoner/AMS
http://www.geocites.com/meteorite_identification

Steve Schoner
--- mafer <mafer_at_imagineopals.com> wrote:
> Hi Steve and list
>
> Are there forms in existence that we can use or
> could we adopt and modify a
> format such as that used for diamonds?
> I should also think that to properly assess a
> potential "rock", one would
> want to cut a window. This may also be addressed
> prior to acceptance since
> most of us do not have the equipment to analyze such
> stones in any other way
> than visual techniques (since some may be so
> weathered that casual
> observation of a "rock" becomes a "best guess". My
> experience is limited to
> what I have in hand and some plainly look like rock
> I have seen in the
> field.).
> I'm sure we can provide a great service to the
> public and help labs by
> acting as intermediaries to sort out the rocks and
> stones from actual
> meteorites, but, at the same time, we sure do not
> want to invite accusations
> of theft or fraud and we don't need lawsuits.
> It could become tacky if the person supplying the
> rock for validation is so
> sure it is a meteorite that even a form, filled out
> stating its a common or
> uncommon terrestrial rock, isn't sufficient for them
> and spreads his beliefs
> around. But there are going to be those times I'm
> sure. I'm also of the
> belief that we need to return each and every item,
> just because of this. I
> do agree that to take on undue costs for shipping
> and insurance is
> unreasonable and should be explained and agreed upon
> prior to acceptance as
> well.
>
> I think we, as a group, can rise to the task, but
> guidelines protecting the
> public and ourselves should be implemented as well
> as how we do our
> validation and recommendations.
>
> Soon to graduate
> Mark
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Steve Schoner <steve_schoner_at_yahoo.com>
> To: magellon <magellon_at_earthlink.net>;
> <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
> Sent: Friday, May 23, 2003 8:19 AM
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Item #2175659927
>
>
> > I think, however this turns out, that from this
> point
> > forward all COA's issued by members of IMCA should
> > have clear statements that they apply only to the
> > specimens submitted with agreed upon forms of
> > presentation.
> >
> > These forms should include as I previously stated,
> a
> > clear picture of the specimen, with a measuring
> scale
> > and a physical description of the specimen in the
> same
> > certificate. I think that this could be done by
> the
> > agency manking the ID either digtally or with a
> hard
> > photo. A hard copy of the COA would then be sent
> to
> > the finder and another kept by the agency with the
> > submitted specimen.
> >
> > This is a subject that IMCA members should open
> for
> > discussion, hopefully arriving at a standard that
> will
> > be adapted by us all.
> >
> > Currently, it is my policy to keep all submitted
> > specimens, as these are in all cases fragments of
> > something larger. On meteorite suspects I will
> not
> > accept registered packages that are insured. Once
> I
> > had a guy from Arkansas send me unsolicited his
> "Jenny
> > Lee" meteorwrong, a egg sized piece of pyrite
> insured
> > for $25,000. I had to send that back also insured
> for
> > the same, hoping that he would not say that the
> > speicmen I had returned was not the one that he
> sent.
> >
> > So, with this in mind, I changed my policy
> regarding
> > meteorite suspects. Nothing will be accepted that
> are
> > insured, or registered, and specimens will not be
> > returned, unless agreed upon after a positive
> > determination is arrived at.
> >
> > Specimens that are not meteorites are discarded
> after
> > six or more months. And if the specimen is one of
> > those very, very rare meteorites out of the
> thousands
> > of meteorwrongs that I receive, and if the finder
> > decides that they want to sell the remaining piece
> > without further testing by the Meteoritical
> Society,
> > which I strongly recommend, that is their
> prerogative.
> > But, at least I have the original test piece in
> my
> > files with my COA to back up my initial claim...
> > should any questions arise.
> >
> > This scenario, however has not happened, yet, and
> I
> > think with my suggestion regarding COA's we will
> be
> > better protected.
> >
> > Steve Schoner/AMS
> >
> >
> > --- magellon <magellon_at_earthlink.net> wrote:
> > > raylunar wrote:
> > >
> > > I here you ken, I will end up stoping it, just
> want
> > > to make sure all
> > > those that have been
> > > talking and emailing me have a chance to see
> whats
> > > up. I can wait to
> > > the last day to
> > > stop it the way I understand the process. Be
> > > assured I will end the
> > > auction within the
> > > next day are so. All the pieces are on there
> way to
> > > NEMS this am.
> > > thanks
> > > Dan
> > >
> > > magellon wrote:
> > >
> > > Dan,
> > > I hope you don't regret not following my
> > > suggestion.
> > > It is your right and a protection to reject
> bids
> > > and close your
> > > auction.
> > > However, If you let an unreasonable person
> win,
> > > you are obligated to
> > > sell your item for the winning bid.
> > > Just trying to save you some potential
> problems.
> > > Best,
> > > ken
> > >
> > > raylunar wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I have contacted the fellow who bid, and he
> > > happens to be a old
> > > friend
> > > > in California who knows my reputation. I
> will
> > > contact anyone else
> > > who
> > > > places a bid, I mainly left it up for the na
> > > sayers. You are
> > > probably
> > > > right, I am just being a little hard headed
> at
> > > this point, so please
> > > > hang with me.
> > > > I put all the items in the mail back to
> NEMS
> > > this AM and sent some
> > > > mail back and fourth to Russ, and he was
> nice
> > > enough to look at them
> > > > for free for me to help clear the mater up.
> > > > Thanks Ken
> > > > Dan Ray
> > > >
> > >
> > >
>
=== message truncated ===


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Received on Fri 23 May 2003 05:24:23 PM PDT