This is apples and oranges... How about some girls best friends (carbon)?
"Approximately 130 million carats
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carat_%28mass%29> (26,000 kg (57,000 lb))
diamonds are mined annually,
with a total value of nearly USD $
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_dollar>9 billion
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1000000000_%28number%29>, and about
100,000 kg (220,000 lb) are
synthesized annually."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond
best,
pekka s
^ <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond#cite_note-2>
Comparing meteorites to gold was merely and analogous representation of
the overall commercial value of meteorites. NOT intended to suggest
anything unrelated to science or to exclude science at all, and
certainly not to disallow any scientific value discussion or expression.
Meteorites do have great scientific value, however the commercial value
cannot be ignored. To do so is naive and akin to an ostrich sticking his
head in the sand.
I do agree though, that the scientific knowledge gained from the study
of meteorites is exponentially greater than any monetary value anyone
could place on any meteorite that ever was or ever will be bought, sold,
traded, or donated. In some ways they are in fact priceless.
To own a piece of the stars, and to be able collect little bits of our
universe older than Earth itself should be something everyone should be
proud of, and something that everyone should know is possible. It should
be automatic and natural for everyone and not limited to a select few. I
for one am very happy that the meteorite world is being opened up and
moving more toward the mainstream. This helps everyone in the long run.
Need for understanding is the fuel that drives the true meteorite
enthusiast, whether that person be a scientist, collector, dealer, or
hunter does not matter, what matters is knowledge and the pursuit of it.
I really think we're saying the same thing, but from different views.
Regards,
Eric
Martin Altmann wrote:
Ehm really?
So far 161,000 metric tons of gold were mined,
but only approx 700 tons of meteorites are registered.
(90% of them allotted on the 20 largest irons only).
The kg of gold costs today around 28,400$.
Most of the meteorites found in Sahara cost 25$-35$ per kg
Most of the mass irons responsible for the most meteorites by mass cost
below 1000$/kg.
Similar or more expensive than gold are only a few rare types,
new falls with low tkw and/or from Northern America and Europe,
as well as all Antarctic finds.
The scientific information obtainable from gold is limited,
The information obtained through researching meteorites for science,
culture
and our understanding of the World is - priceless.
:-)
Martin
(why reporters do have always such a limited fantasy...)
-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: meteorite-list-boun...@meteoritecentral.com
[mailto:meteorite-list-boun...@meteoritecentral.com] Im Auftrag von
Meteorites USA
Gesendet: Mittwoch, 6. Mai 2009 18:38
An: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com
Betreff: [meteorite-list] Meteorites are like lumps of gold!
Meteor fragments on the prairies like lumps of gold
Updated Wed. May. 6 2009 8:57 AM ET
The Canadian Press
BUZZARD COULEE, Sask. -- An asteroid that streaked across the skies
over Canada's prairies last fall dropped a record number of
fragments, including a bowling-ball sized chunk worth $400,000 that a
selfless farmer has donated -- for free -- to the University of Calgary.
"These meteorites are like lumps of gold with the same kind of
value," said Dr. Alan Hildebrand, a planetary scientist with the
University of Calgary.
"Many people have come here to collect meteorites to sell them."
The valuable bowling-ball sized piece, weighing 13 kilograms, was
donated to the university by farmer Alex Mitchell.
An oilfield worker found it on Mitchell's property and turned it over
to him.
"I was surprised by the weight for the mass," Mitchell said. "It's
heavy for the size."
Under Canadian law, meteorites may be bought and sold, but a federal
permit is required to export them. Any found pieces are rightfully
the property of the person owning the land where they fell.
More than 1,000 pieces of the meteor, which fell from the sky Nov. 20
near the Alberta-Saskatchewan boundary south of Lloydminster, have
been recovered so far.
Scientists said Monday thousands more remain to be found now that
snow has melted and the search has resumed.
The previous record of 700 pieces was set after a meteor hit the
ground in central Alberta in 1960.
Hildebrand said searchers are finding dozens of meteorites a day.
ARTICLE CONTINUED HERE:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090506/Meteor_fragment
s_090506/20090506?hub=SciTech
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FINLAND
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