Hi List, Most museums and notable collections realize that proper preparation is the key to preservation. Slices should be polished on both sides to reduce surface area which can and will trap moisture. A properly applied polish is the most important step in preserving any cut meteorite that contains metal. Tap water containing chlorine should never be used in the cutting or polishing processes. They should be stored in an area that doesn't experience huge temperature swings. Specimens do better in very low humidity. A lacquer coating should never be applied. Some less knowledgeable dealers apply a lacquer coating as a shortcut. Although, it may make the specimen look more desirable, it will never provide a substitute for a professionally applied polish. As a mater of fact, it actually traps moisture inside the specimen, will yellow over the years and is just plain bad.
I learned the hard way. I had a several thousand dollar Brenham Pallasite dissolve into a pile of crap in a few short years. The slice actually flexed when I remove it from the safe. The only thing holding it together was the lacquer coating which held long enough for me to throw the specimen into a trash can. I was so disgusted that I never purchased from that dealer again. Hope this helps, Adam ______________________________________________ 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
