[meteorite-list] Bogus indochinites?

From: Mark Ford <mark.ford_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2009 09:33:16 -0000
Message-ID: <29A9DB45B84970458190D7D39BD42C494FAFC4_at_gamma.ssl.atw>

Actually I've seen plenty of dodgey black glass indochinites for sale in
gem shops, (its a bit obvious when they have sometimes have perfectly
flat edges or mold lines and the glass style varies) and also there have
been quite a few repro button Australites for sale on ebay, (admittedly
they are clearly labeled as glass reproductions, and they are great if
you can't afford the real thing), but who's to say they will always be
labeled as reproduction when sold on again in the future?

Green glass moldavite is also way too easy to fake, (it can be either
melted and tumbled green beer or wine bottle glass).

As always - know your seller and only deal with those you trust, always
ask questions!

As far as I know the only way to be 100% sure is either chemical isotope
testing, or the destructive 'thermal stress test' using heat/water and
watching it shatter!!


Mark





-----Original Message-----
From: meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com
[mailto:meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com] On Behalf Of
Michael Gilmer
Sent: 31 January 2009 22:35
To: riffraff at timewarp.de
Cc: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Bogus indochinites?

Hi Norbert,

I don't have any photos yet, but I will snap some as soon as the
specimens arrive.

Here is a link to the auction. It has a photo, but you can't tell
much by looking at it. I am inclined to believe they are real
because what motive would someone have to fake something as common
as indochinites? But, as an aspiring dealer, my reputation is
important to me, so I am not going to sell anything I am unsure of.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190281828566

A few people emailed me about this - most share the opinion that
indochinites are too common and cheap to be worth faking. Moldavite
can be expensive, so there is good motive there for a scammer to
fake it. Indochinites I am not so sure about. Heck, if I was a
scammer and wanted to make bogus tektites, I'd find some way to
manufacture fake Australite buttons - at least those sell for
good money.

Regards and clear skies,

MikeG



.........................................................
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
..........................................................



      
______________________________________________
http://www.meteoritecentral.com
Meteorite-list mailing list
Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us. Email info at ssl.gb.com. You should not copy or use this email or attachment(s) for any purpose nor disclose their contents to any other person.

GENERAL STATEMENT:

Southern Scientific Ltd's computer systems may be monitored and communications carried on them recorded, to secure the effective operation of the system and for other lawful purposes.

Registered address Rectory Farm Rd, Sompting, Lancing, W Sussex BN15 0DP. Company No 1800317
Received on Mon 02 Feb 2009 04:33:16 AM PST