[meteorite-list] [IMCA List] Martin Goff's Out Reach

From: Galactic Stone & Ironworks <meteoritemike_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 12:50:23 -0500
Message-ID: <CAKBPJW93x6nyTcwU_M6rhcumBdeEuZV2SzTosodFsjzwDzqSoQ_at_mail.gmail.com>

Hi Jim,

That is exactly my point. Look, the last thing I want to do is pick a
fight with the IMCA. Been there, done that, don't want to do it
again. I buried the hatchet years ago and I wish the IMCA success in
their endeavors.

When anyone makes a statement that implies that IMCA-sourced specimens
are a safer buy for collectors, then that is also an implied statement
that non-IMCA specimens are less trustworthy and therefore less
desirable. This hurts the non-members who are honest but choose not
to be members.

Here is an analogy :

The IMCA is like a fraternity for meteorite dealers. In many ways, it
functions like a college fraternity - you have to pledge and be
sponsored by a member. You have rules to obey to remain a member. But
outside the confines of the fraternity house, all members are the same
as non-members : they are all students studying the same courses
offered by the same professors. Being a fraternity member does not
make one's college degree any more valid than a non-member's.

Best regards and Happy Huntings,

MikeG



On 11/23/14, Jim Wooddell via Meteorite-list
<meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> wrote:
> Mike,
>
> Same goes with Sacramento Wash 005. How many of those have been sold
> where the dealer has no clue!
> And they are still being sold as such! No one freaking cares!
>
> Jim
>
>
> On 11/23/2014 10:01 AM, Galactic Stone & Ironworks via Meteorite-list
> wrote:
>> Hi Jim and List,
>>
>> Please do not take this as a knock at the IMCA, because it is not
>> intended that way, and I certainly do want to experience the old
>> "shoot the messenger" syndrome again.
>>
>> How exactly does anyone "guarantee authenticity" in regards to
>> meteorites?
>>
>> Let's look at a typical example that happens on a daily basis in the
>> meteorite community :
>>
>> If I am offered a specimen of Battle Mountain by a dealer. How do I
>> really know that it is Battle Mountain and not one of hundreds of NWA
>> L6 look-a-likes? Regardless of whether or not the seller is an IMCA
>> member, how can one guarantee authenticity of any specimen, unless
>> that particular specimen has been examined and analyzed by a reputable
>> scientist?
>>
>> I do not know of any dealers who have every batch of material they
>> acquire tested at a lab. They use a combination of faith in their
>> sources and hand-examination to determine if the material should be
>> offered. Sure, new unclassified material is analyzed to have it
>> classified and officially approved by Met Soc. But what about NWA
>> 869? How many dealers have their NWA 869 analyzed prior to offering
>> it? If it is untested, then how can one make any guarantees?
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> MikeG
>
>
> --
> Jim Wooddell
> jim.wooddell at suddenlink.net
> http://pages.suddenlink.net/chondrule/
>
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Received on Sun 23 Nov 2014 12:50:23 PM PST