Hello List Members: This past weekend I attended a rock and mineral show here in Bakersfield, CA and I noticed two things. First: More vendors are selling (and are more knowledgeable of) meteorites now compared to the past. I spoke to a number of people and they had classifications on some stones, and one had a nice 650 gram Campo with a hole in it - he explained to me that this increases the value. I did not buy it but did get an interesting chondrite from him. Second: I could not believe the number of people telling me about the "Meteorite Men" TV show... a lot. Many asked me questions as they knew of my interest in meteorites. I think this is great that more people are becoming interested in meteorites, and I think it will increase demand. If this does happed with perhaps (less supply of NWA stones) meteorites should increase in value - especialy the more presting fresh fusion crusted pieces. It will be interesting to see the trends over the next year. Also, the local rock club here asked me if I wanted to do a presentation on meteorite hunting at one of their meetings. I think it's wonderful seeing so many people showing an interest in meteorites.
Greg S. ---------------------------------------- > Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:58:37 -0700 > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected]; [email protected] > CC: [email protected] > Subject: [meteorite-list] Increased Interest in Meteorites > > Hi Ya'll: > As President of the Meteorite Association of Georgia, I have seen a recent > increase in interest in meteorites as witnessed by more people joining our > group, more people coming to our individual lectures, etc. > And yes, more uninformed but hopeful people swearing the rock they found in > their back yard was not only hot to the touch when found, but is worth its > weight in platinum. > In order to fend off the nasty replies I get when I patiently explain why > it's NOT a meteorite, I simply tell them this: > "Thank you for contacting us. It is difficult to tell from the photo you > provided, but it appears to me that you have found a piece of slag. I > encourage you to send your photo and/or a piece of the specimen to those who > can test the material with equipment I do not possess." Then, if they write > back asking for places that do testing, I'll provide that info. As of today, > no one has ever requested more information. I don't know if they were happy > with my reply, or simply put my email in the round file. > > Anita > > --- On Mon, 3/22/10, Gary Fujihara wrote: > >> From: Gary Fujihara >> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - March >> 22, 2010 >> To: "Adam Hupe" >> Cc: "Adam" >> Date: Monday, March 22, 2010, 1:11 PM >> I agree with you Adam. As much >> as the Meteorite Men show has provided better awareness to >> meteorites in the general population, it has also spurred >> the conmen and get-rich-quick schemers. >> >> I think the show has been steered by producers to make it >> more appealing to viewers, but in doing so have placed far >> too much emphasis on monetary value and too little on >> scientific importance. This brings all the riffraff out of >> the woodwork and now we are beginning to see the negative >> effects this brings on our hobby/business/passion. My >> 2¢ >> >> gary >> >> On Mar 22, 2010, at 6:59 AM, Adam Hupe wrote: >> >>> A lot of viewers are clinging to the hope they will >> become overnight millionaires. Most of them will not listen >> when you tell them their prized new "Moon rock" is a piece >> of quartz or their new "Pallasite" is nothing more then >> slag. They will become increasingly angry when you try to >> explain why. They know it is real because it looks just like >> the one they saw on TV and will not be told otherwise. >>> >>> I do not even respond any more as I do not like to be >> put in a position as the bay guy who has to break the news >> that their worthless rock will not make them the latest >> millionaire. This is what happens when the media >> focuses too much on the monetary aspect of meteorite >> collecting. It out weighs any educational benefit this type >> of show may have provided. The state Washington >> and Oregon suddenly announced their no collecting policy on >> federal land; the timing is uncanny. A lot of scam >> artists will also attach themselves if the smell of easy >> money is present. One just has to look at the most >> expensive "meteorites" on eBay to see this effect. >> Now, there is always a few fakes listed in the top dollar >> page. >>> >>> I would hate to see meteorite hunting/collecting go >> the way treasure hunting did 25 years ago when the avocation >> almost went extinct, mainly due to the press. >> Professional treasure hunters now avoid the press when >> values are put up. Just look at the Mel Fisher group who had >> to fight for a decade to keep a good portion of their major >> find due to the fact the press attached a billion dollar >> price tag to it. Everybody seemed to have a claim on >> it when they didn't lift a finger to find it. The >> press made it look easy when in fact Mel suffered many >> hardships including the loss of his sons life. >>> >>> >>> Best Regards, >>> >>> Adam >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> ----- Original Message ---- >>> From: "[email protected]" >> >>> To: "[email protected]" >> >>> Sent: Mon, March 22, 2010 6:20:26 AM >>> Subject: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of >> the Day - March 22, 2010 >>> >>> http:www.rocksfromspace.org/March_22_2010.html >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> --- >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Thumbed On My BlackBerry >>> ______________________________________________ >>> Visit the Archives at >>> http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html >>> Meteorite-list mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list >>> >>> ______________________________________________ >>> Visit the Archives at >>> http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html >>> Meteorite-list mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list >> >> Gary Fujihara >> Big Kahuna Meteorites (IMCA#1693) >> 105 Puhili Place, Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 >> http://bigkahuna-meteorites.com/ >> http://shop.ebay.com/fujmon/m.html >> (808) 640-9161 >> >> ______________________________________________ >> Visit the Archives at >> http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html >> Meteorite-list mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list >> > ______________________________________________ > Visit the Archives at > http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html > Meteorite-list mailing list > [email protected] > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/210850553/direct/01/ ______________________________________________ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list [email protected] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
