[meteorite-list] CALIFORNIA-REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGIST - Final

From: ken newton <magellon_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2007 22:11:47 -0400
Message-ID: <4605DA63.3010706_at_earthlink.net>

Norm and others,
I asked Mr. Rant to examine the specimen for growth rings. He replied:

"Due to the interest by others and the quandary it presents (experts are
puzzled!) I have removed the item from eBay until a qualified expert
evaluates the stone.

"It never occurred to me that a local petrified wood expert lives four
houses down from me. I called him up and asked if he would give me his
professional opinion to a problem stone in my possession. I just
returned from a visit with him.

"He not only instantly recognized this specimen as petrified wood but
was able to give a close approximation of the type of hardwood it was.
He believes my specimen is from American Chestnut or Giant Chinkapin.
He described the cell structures as the reasons why he believes that is
what it is.

"I asked him if there was any doubt whatsoever in his opinion, even one
or two percent doubt. Zero doubt--it is petrified wood with 100 percent
certainty! The only doubt is the type of tree; could certainly be wrong
in that area of his opinion.

"So, you were persistent and hung in there. Thank you so much for
helping me with this auction. I will relay similar information to those
others who were also puzzled. I was totally fooled on this one, which
will make me more aware next time.

"I will stick to selling what I am more comfortable with from now
on--you know, stuff with a label on it. :-) Best regards, Kenneth Rank"

Norm, Thanks for solving this and restoring the credibility of geologist
worldwide (or until the next non-List geologist deems an obvious 'wrong'
to be a genuine meteorite :>)

Best,
ken



Norm Lehrman wrote:

>Ken and list,
>
>This image:
>http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/94/59/e4ce_3.JPG
>
>looks highly silicous, which could explain the lack of
>streak. Am I imagining it, or can you detect some
>concentric banding, convex towards the upper left
>(opposite the saw marks)? If that's real, this may
>well be petrified wood! Surely the seller would've
>recognized that---
>
>Norm
>http://tektitesource.com
>
>--- ken newton <magellon at earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>>Hi Norm and others,
>>Thanks for your reply.
>>The photos do not show up well in the little ebay
>>viewer so here are
>>three urls.
>>http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/94/59/e4ce_3.JPG
>>http://i2.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/94/59/e233_3.JPG
>>http://i1.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/94/6b/a18e_3.JPG
>>
>>I asked about a streak test, Mr. Rank replied:
>>"No, I did not do a streak test, but I did one just
>>now per your request.
>>The finding is negative for any color whatsoever--no
>>blacks, rust,
>> hematitic, ochre, or yellows present. Thank you for
>>the interest."
>>
>>Very curious reply (in my opinion) when looking at
>>the red interior of
>>the photos.
>>Best,
>>Ken
>>
>>
>>Norm Lehrman wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>Ken and all,
>>>
>>>How embarassing for geologists everywhere and
>>>
>>>
>>another
>>
>>
>>>general downer for serious meteorite people. This
>>>stuff is frustrating and sad. I hate seeing people
>>>ripped off.
>>>
>>>My bristles go up everytime someone says: "I know
>>>
>>>
>>it's
>>
>>
>>>real 'cause I had a geologist look at it---"
>>>
>>>As a career practicing geologist with over 10-years
>>>college-level teaching on the side, I can assure
>>>
>>>
>>you
>>
>>
>>>that most geology curricula do not include ANY
>>>significant training or information regarding
>>>meteorites, much less, their identification.
>>>
>>>It is true that we geologists see a lot of earth
>>>
>>>
>>rocks
>>
>>
>>>and are in a generally advantageous position to
>>>recognize something out of the ordinary when we see
>>>it, but I have described to this list before that
>>>
>>>
>>in
>>
>>
>>>well-intentioned nievete, I used to pass around
>>>
>>>
>>some
>>
>>
>>>fine SLAG pieces as examples of meteorites.
>>>
>>>Everyone, please be advised that, in general,
>>>professional geologists and geological academicians
>>>know less about meteorites than list members!
>>>
>>>
>>Anyone
>>
>>
>>>reading this has been exposed to more meteorite
>>>information on this list than any geologist gets in
>>>multi-degree training unless they are involved in a
>>>course of study specifically involving meteorites!
>>>
>>>Cheers,
>>>Norm
>>>(http://tektitesource.com)
>>>
>>>--- ken newton <magellon at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hi,
>>>>Check out this professional geologist's 'Ureilite
>>>>meteorite with diamonds.'
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300094532355
>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>(see question at bottom also, the 'professional
>>>>geologist' info is found
>>>>on his 'me' page)
>>>>
>>>>Does the cut face of this 'non magnetic meteorite'
>>>>look like ordinary
>>>>hematite to anyone else?
>>>>
>>>>As far as the "obvious entry FUSION coating",
>>>>remember this?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>http://home.earthlink.net/~wrongs/auctions/2255992757.htm
>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Follow-up:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>http://home.earthlink.net/~meteorwrong/auctions/2260392588.htm
>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Continuously amazed,
>>>>Ken Newton
>>>>http://home.earthlink.net/~magellon/updates.html
>>>>______________________________________________
>>>>Meteorite-list mailing list
>>>>Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>______________________________________________
>>>Meteorite-list mailing list
>>>Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
>>>
>>>
>>http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
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Received on Sat 24 Mar 2007 10:11:47 PM PDT