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

From: Martin Goff <msgmeteorites_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 22:12:04 +0000
Message-ID: <CAKEL=tC6rhi10RzAi3iPptBrG3BKm4A5GemkTF3=tx7rJBOwvg_at_mail.gmail.com>

Hi all,

Just wanted to post here as it concerns my post to the IMCA list. My
post was basically exactly the same as posted here to the metlist and
also on facebook etc. I had posted to all these forums and lists to
say i had recently uploaded an article on a recent outreach event that
i had attended. I had partly also done this to see which forum yielded
the most interaction, it was no surprise to me that Facebook came out
top in this respect.

This conversation seems to have spilled out onto the metlist from the
IMCA list and my post here is purely for the metlist just to explain
my motivation in my original post :-)

Cheers

Martin

On 23 November 2014 at 17:50, Galactic Stone & Ironworks via
Meteorite-list <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> wrote:
> 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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>>
>
>
> --
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-- 
Martin Goff
www.msg-meteorites.co.uk
IMCA #3387

Received on Sun 23 Nov 2014 05:12:04 PM PST