[meteorite-list] Is this an ethical way to treat a meteorite?

From: Galactic Stone & Ironworks <meteoritemike_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 12:37:51 -0500
Message-ID: <e51421550904081037o54f210cex96d93bbe18c5caad_at_mail.gmail.com>

Hi Jim,

Good point about being up front with the treatment process involved.
>From a buyer's and collector's standpoint, I like to know what has
been artificially done (if anything) to a specimen prior to me seeing
it for the first time. I tend to like a natural patina on irons as
well - I'm not big on the "stainless steel" look. But if the
alternative is a flaky rust ball, then I pick the shiny one. ;)

A fusion-crusted, regmaglypted Sikhote or a Gibeon covered in desert
patina is a true thing of beauty. :)

Best regards,

MikeG


On 4/8/09, jbaxter112 at pol.net <jbaxter112 at pol.net> wrote:
> Hi Bill,
>
> I'm one of the subset of collectors who prefers the 'natural patina' on
> the surface of irons in general and I tend to go for the least treated
> specimens. That being said, some people clearly prefer the shiny treated
> irons, and if your process allows some kids at a show, say, to get an iron
> meteorite and get interested in the hobby, I'd say more power to you. I do
> think buyers should see or hear your clear explanation of the starting
> status of your material(maybe a demo 'before' and 'after' specimen or
> photo would be nice).
>
> How long have you observed these after cleaning? My mantra has always been
> that the gold standard for stability of irons is time on the shelf without
> rusting.
>
> Cheers,
> Jim Baxter
>
>> Hello list,
>> I have an assortment of "OLD" Campos I purchased from a
>> guy who lives in a very humid climate. When I received them, they were
>> extremely rusty, and big flakes of rust falling off every time I would
>> even look sideways at them. I debated with trying the galvanic
>> cleansing, wire brushing, shot peening, acid baths, etc. etc. or just
>> slicing them up, and grinding off the crusty edges. In fact I have done
>> all of these things to test pieces, with less than miraculous results.
>> It was, and still is my personal belief that if the rust can be removed
>> ENTIRELY, and Either soak them in trans fluid, or carnuba spray wax,
>> that they will stabilize. In fact it appears I may have done so, but
>> with some interesting side affects. I know many meteorite enthusiasts
>> are against changing the natural appearance of a
>> meteorite, with good reason, However considering the circumstances and
>> possible repercussions of doing nothing at all I have transformed an old
>> Campo.
>>
>> This process removes ALL rust, leaves small splotches of shiny fusion
>> crust ( at least it sure appears to be ) and provides nice polish. It
>> also appears to have stopped all further oxidation, and no sign of
>> laurencite disease. I am not able to perform this process without the
>> final polish, so I get stuck with a shiny meteorite. I have seen
>> people go another step to remove the shine, I just kind of like it for
>> now....
>>
>> And on another note: As Joe Dirt said to Kickin wing, "Well that might
>> be your problem, its not what you like, its the consumer". I have
>> shown rusty irons to people who scowl, and exclaim "why do you think its
>> a meteorite!" But when I show them a polished Iron their faces light up
>> in utter amazement, and will often offer $1 gram or more for
>> them...........Just something to consider.
>>
>> Please check out the photos on photo bucket, and let me know your
>> honest opinions. If the consensus is that this is an EVIL thing to do to
>> a meteorite I will surly take it into consideration. No doubt it will
>> make some frown, and give some hope to others.
>>
>>
>>
>> Bill Hall
>>
>> http://s680.photobucket.com/albums/vv162/meteoritepictures/
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>
>
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-- 
.........................................................
Michael Gilmer (Louisiana, USA)
Member of the Meteoritical Society.
Member of the Bayou Region Stargazers Network.
Websites - http://www.galactic-stone.com and http://www.glassthrower.com
..........................................................

Received on Wed 08 Apr 2009 01:37:51 PM PDT