[meteorite-list] Stability of Sericho (Habaswein)

From: Adam Hupe <raremeteorites_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2017 17:58:48 -0800
Message-ID: <8f97b81b-bcaf-8d17-918f-ab2173364f80_at_centurylink.net>

The fact that dealers are applying sealants and anti-rust coatings to
this Pallasite, like an old 55 Chevy from the East Coast, indicates that
Sericho (Habaswein) is indeed a ruster. I received several reports
today of rusticles, green goo, chemical smells, dislodged crystals and
popping noises coming from specimens. Maybe it should be upgraded from
ruster to serious ruster.

Stable Pallasites like Esquel do not require any special treatment other
than avoiding chlorinated water during preparation, proper high-grade
polishing and low humidity storage/display.

I avoid rusters at all costs,

Adam




On 12/4/2017 10:40 AM, Bigjohn Shea wrote:
> I got my sealed full slice of Habaswein from Rob many months ago and don't see a lick of rusting on it. Sealant appears to be working great. :-D
>
> If I were in the market for a specimen, I'd listen to the guy who actually has experience working with the meteorite in question.
>
> Additionally,
> Large multi-kg specimens of Habaswein do sell in the 0.5$/g range. Expertly prepared slices do not. They sell for 8-10 times that price. That distinction needs to be made.
>
> Cheers,
> John A. Shea, MD
> IMCA 3295
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent using the mail.com mail app
>
> On 12/4/17 at 11:14 AM, Adam Hupe via Meteorite-list wrote:
>
>> My advice is to stay away from any sliced pieces with a lacquer or
>> clear-coat surface. It is sign that shortcuts were taken in its
>> preparation. Proper polishing reduces the surface area on cut pieces of
>> any meteorite aiding in the prevention of "lawrencite disease." Not
>> only that, these coatings will accelerate the deterioration process by
>> trapping moisture. It is important to store this material in low
>> humidity environments with plenty of air circulation. Also, exposure to
>> direct sunlight will cause the crystals to darken with time.
>>
>> A lot of collectors are in the wait and see mode since there are several
>> metric tons of this material available. The lowest price I have seen was
>> around 46 cents a gram for a recently sold piece on eBay.
>>
>> Happy Collecting,
>>
>> Adam
>>
>> On 12/2/2017 5:14 AM, Andrey via Meteorite-list wrote:
>>> Hello Dear List Members,
>>>
>>> Just a small question to new Sericho (was Habaswein) Kenya pallasite
>>> owners, dealers, cutters: how stable is it?
>>> From my own experience I noticed its extreme degree of instability,
>>> similar to Admire or even more... Is this unlucky piece, just fortuity
>>> or is it really so?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for your answers,
>>>
>>> Andrey,
>>> IMCA#6240
>>>
>>>
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Received on Mon 04 Dec 2017 08:58:48 PM PST