[meteorite-list] Labeling specimens

From: Walter Branch <waltbranch_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:09:50 -0500
Message-ID: <001601cab7be$e93da140$0302a8c0_at_yourf78bf48ce2>

Hello Steve,

My opinion is pretty much the opposite from yours.

>standard size and provenance

Province would be okay, but I would not collect meteorites if they came in
standard sizes. I like variety

> To create an investor market

I don't really want investors to get involved in the meteorite market. If
investors were to come in droves, I'm leaving. The prices would skyrocket
and there would be no point in my collecting something I could not afford.

> we need to sell 1 cm square slices 4mm thick

Again, I would leave. I don't want 1 cm square slices.

>graded like collector coins

"collector" coins aren't graded. "investment" coins are.

The field of stamp collecting recently started "grading" stamps. That, and
rampant dealer dishonesty, have turned me away from stamp collecting, which
I have done since I was a kid.

I am not exaggerating when I say a formally .75 stamp, once "graded" now has
an asking price of 75.00. Why, because Professional Stamp Experts (what a
dumb sounding name) says is has a certain grade.

"Grading" would be worse then having a flood of investors inter the market.
To me grading is for people who don't want to take the time to actually
learn something about meteorites (e.g., investors - grrrrrrrrh :-)

>larger market of collector specimins with a higher value

Higher value translates into higher prices. Personally, I don't really want
that. I would be very pleased if the asking prices for meteorites took a
nose dive. THAT might generate more collectors and less investors.

>vALUE OF METEORITES FOR EVERYONE

Again, you mean higher prices.

>authenticated by the imca.

Steve, aren't you being presumptious? The IMCA does not authenticate
meteorites, and I think it pretty safe to say it never will.

> it would be a win win situation

Everyone will lose. Except of course, the "investors" who would make some
money then pull out.

Not to be argumentative. Just my opinions.

-Walter Branch
Received on Sat 27 Feb 2010 10:09:50 AM PST