[meteorite-list] Point of Diminishing returns (Slice thickness)?

From: Adam Hupe <raremeteorites_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2011 16:27:04 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <307915.15040.qm_at_web30707.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Hi Micheal and List,

The first question I am always asked is "what is your price per gram?", not
"what is the surface-to-weight ratio or the dimensions", for that matter. The
dimensions are only asked for after the price per gram question 99 percent of
the time.

I will always choose the most attractive piece that was well prepared over some
block-cut monstrosity without any polish any day. The problem is that a lot of
dealers/collectors trade meteorites like they are commodities, not the true
rarities that they really are. The rules have changed the last few years
making the price per gram the number one issue when shopping around.

The key is learning a balance which is different for each and every
meteorite. I am still learning this balance after preparing well over 35,000
specimens.


Best Regards,

Adam


----- Original Message ----
From: Michael Blood <mlblood at cox.net>
To: Adam Hupe <raremeteorites at yahoo.com>; Meteorite List
<meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Mon, March 7, 2011 3:58:23 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Point of Diminishing returns (Slice thickness)?

Good points, Adam,
        However, the collectors who are blind to any pricing
Elements but weight are NOT getting the best deals at all.
        I sell the same way I collect.... Good is good and to me
How a specimen looks if far more important than mass.
        Do I prefer a bigger specimen over a smaller specimen?
Of course, but I do not prefer a thicker slice over a thinner
Slice at all. If one is 4g and the other is 1.2g and the surface
Area is larger on the 1.2g and the price is the same, I will take
The 1.2 thinner slice with more surface area every stinking time.
        If you can buy high fat ground beef for $2/lb or excellent
Ribeye stakes for $4/lb, which are YOU going to buy? I'll take
The Ribeye every stinking time.
        I believe collectors are STARTING to get the point that
It is NOT the weight that is most important, but the visual
Quality that matters. Every Tucson Show for the last several
Years I have seen some screaming specimens sold for 4, 10 or
100 times the "normal" price per gram. I have bought some of
Them, myself.
        I am always amazed that though I am certain the average
Meteorite collector has a substantially higher IQ than the
Public norm, so many of them are attached to narrow ways of
Thinking. However, any smart individual will eventually overcome
Habitual ways of thinking when repeatedly exposed to the logical
advantages of other ways of looking at things.
        Michael

On 3/7/11 3:38 PM, "Adam Hupe" <raremeteorites at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Most collectors go by the price per gram first so dealers who cut ultra-thin
> will take a loss when weight is the main consideration. I know that the
> weight-to-surface area ratio is a secondary consideration for most collectors
> due to experience.
>
> There are other factors like a decent polish being applied, proper preparation
> and specimen status including provenance that can affect price.
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Adam
Received on Mon 07 Mar 2011 07:27:04 PM PST