[meteorite-list] NWA material (you can't tell just by looking)

From: Randy Korotev <korotev_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:10:37 -0600
Message-ID: <200712271610.lBRGATm27393_at_levee.wustl.edu>

I have been fortunate to have seen, photographed, and chemically
analyzed practically every lunar meteorite that has ever been
found. I still can't identify a lunar meteorite "just by looking" at
it, however, and I believe that no one else can, either.

I know that some terrestrial rocks from northwest Africa have been
sold as lunar meteorites:

http://meteorites.wustl.edu/meteorwrongs/m237.htm

I myself bought an alleged lunar meteorite from an experienced and
respected European dealer who must, I assume, have obtained it from a
"local" dealer or finder. The sample turned out to be a howardite.

I'm willing to believe that the local dealers perhaps believed these
various stones were lunar meteorites. Nevertheless, they clearly
didn't do the obvious, as Greg suggests, and submit a type specimen
for an expert to verify first. For what it's worth, I have never
been sent a sample of a lunar meteorite by a northwest African dealer
with a request to verify its authenticity.

caveat emptor,
Randy Korotev




At 21:49 26-12-07 Wednesday, Greg Hupe wrote:
>Hi Tim,
>
>My point is that Aziz is advertising a "90g Lodranite Breccia" for
>sale. I asked simple questions that had nothing to do with the broad
>NWA unclassified market. How does he know it is a "Lodranite"? What
>lab classified it? Did he (Aziz) submit the proper type sample (18
>grams in this case)?
>
>Respectfully,
>Greg
Received on Thu 27 Dec 2007 11:10:37 AM PST