Blaine Reed
P.O. Box 1141
Delta, CO 81416
Ph/fax (970) 874-1487
LIST 100
March 8, 2011
Dear Collectors,
Here, finally, is an after Tucson offering. I have had tons of projects to deal with (one major meteorite related the others not) and yet a further estate to deal with. This last thing will have me gone starting about Wednesday the 16th for a week or so back in Phoenix (I am rapidly running out of "elderly" relatives it seems, so I would expect this problem to start abating soon).
Please try to contact me fairly soon if you see anything here you want. This is partially so I can get sold things off and on their way to buyers before I leave and largely so I can do my final settlements with consignors (many, but not all, of the items here were consigned to me for the show) and get what doesn't sell on its way back home to the owners.
ALLENDE, Mexico: Carbonaceous (CV3.2). Fell February 8, 1969.
This is a large fragment (only a small patch of crust visible). BUT, it is a labeled Nininger specimen (818.98) that was listed in the 1985 "Catalog of Meteorites in the Collection of Arizona State University" (I'll include a copy of the cover and the page listing this -–I have only the one actual catalog and I do use it quite regularly for looking up some of the more recent Nininger numbers). It has been suggested that this may be listed in the most recent Nininger catalog (which I don't have) before he passed the collection on to ASU. I got this in a trade over 20 years ago (can't remember just what I gave for it) and have had it in storage ever since (so long in fact, that I forgot the piece's origin and originally thought the numbers on it were its weight). I am offering this to help pay for my big meteorite related project (more on that in the future), or this would likely remain safely in storage for another few years (decades?). Again, only a tiny bat of crust, but it is loaded with LOTS of large CAI's.
965.8 gram Niniger numbered fragment - 135mm x 90mm x 40mm - $7500
BILANGA: Burkina Faso: (Diogenite). Fell October 27, 1999. Tkw = 25+ kg.
Here are some almost thin-section slices (some light will pass through parts of these!) in mylar display boxes. I am NOT going to risk pulling these out for measuring thickness or weight (same goes for the other similarly prepared items on this and future lists). The measurements are simply the rough dimensions of the surface area of each specimen.
1) Thin slices in mylar box.
a) 16mm x 11mm - $15
b) 19mm x 15mm - $25
c) 21mm x 16mm - $30 – has 13mm of crust along one edge.
CAMEL DONGA, Australia: (Eucrite). Found 1984. Tkw = 30+ kg.
Here a few really nice complete individuals of this popular (and likely to be more popular once we start orbiting Vesta later this year) meteorite. These are likely "late" recoveries, but are either picked up quite some time ago or are superb specimens from a very large batch of recent found material (this stuff has a high amount of free iron and does oxidize fairly rapidly out in the elements. It is apparent that the fall must have not been long before its discovery in 1984. The first pieces were all super fresh and glassy. Pieces picked up even a few years later started to show strong weathering effects). These are all complete and are covered with black crust and generally only show minor areas of dirt or dimming of the crust.
1) Complete individuals:
a) .77 grams – 11mm x 10mm x 4m - $23
b) 1.45 grams – 11mm x 11mm x 7mm - $40
c) 4.22 grams – 19mm x 10mm x 9mm - $110 – lots of heavy flow lines.
d) 6.59 grams – 20mm x 16mm x 11mm - $175 – super glossy crust.
e) 9.32 grams – 25mm x 20mm x 10mm - $250 – also really glossy.
DAR AL GANI (735), Libya: Martian (Shergottite). Found 1997. Tkw = 588 grams.
This is quite obviously a pairing to DaG (476). This has the usual small angular dark brown to black clasts (olivine, I believe) in a jade-green matrix. There is not a lot of this material available any more and, given the unrest in Libya, it is not highly likely that many will go out looking for more for some time.
.835 gram slice – 17mm x 14mm x 1mm - $700
IRIDIUM: The element.
Here is a serious batch for the serious element collector (or speculator, perhaps. This stiff seems to be going up in value almost faster than I can keep track of it). This is more of the fine crystals salvaged from the furnace that produces Yag laser crystals. These are quite a bit smaller than what I had offered on a list earlier (and were all I could get when I rapidly sold out of those specimens). I have 1 troy ounce of this in a screw lid "make up" container (the same as I use for storing small watch parts). I am actually pricing this a tiny bit below iridium's current "spot" value (which was $1025 when I just checked it while typing this).
1 troy ounce of powder/ small crystals - $1000
KORRA KORRABES, Namibia: (H3). Found 1996. Tkw = 130+kg.
This is a really nice slice. It is much fresher than any of the other pieces I have had (even fresher than the few Gao specimens I have cut). This also shows a really nice breccia texture; with angular to rounded light gray clasts in a light tan to brown matrix. I have heard rumor that some believe that this may actually represent a all different from the actual Korra Korrabes, but I would find it a bit a stretch (but not impossible) to find two H3 meteorites overlapping.
79.7 gram slice (one cut edge) – 77mm x 45mm x 6mm - $120
MILLBILLILLIE, Australia: (Eucrite). Fell October, 1960. Tkw = 150+ kg.
Here are a couple more super thin slices (the smaller actually passes some light through some areas!) in mylar boxes. These are both quite nice and each has one nice edge of fusion crust.
1) Thin slices in a mylar box:
a) 17mm x 15mm - $20
b) 20mm x 20mm - $30
NWA (1774): rumurutiite (R3.8-6). Found 2002. Tkw = 714 grams.
This, like the Bilanga above, is cut super thin. This is something I wish I had a lot of larger pieces of (I do have a few cut fragments of a likely paired meteorite, but not many). It has a fantastic breccia texture, with many lots of clasts of various shades and colors in a light brown matrix.
1) Thin slices in a mylar box:
a) 15mm x 10mm - $15
b) 22mm x 16mm - $25
c) 24mm x 23mm - $30
NWA (4662): (Angrite). Found June 2005. Tkw = about 400 grams.
I have quite a few people asking for angrites lately. Unfortunately, this is the ONLY piece I have. It is consigned so I cannot take to the saw either. This is a rather nice solid natural fragment/ individual (though I would hesitate to call any of the surface fusion crust, all surfaces are ancient. NO recent fracturing on this specimen).
10.6 gram natural fragment – 25mm x 20mm x 12mm - $950
SACRAMENTO WASH (003), Arizona: (H4). Found March 22, 2004. Tkw = 89.2 grams.
Here is something special for the Arizona collector (or "main mass" collector). This is the entire mass remeiing after research of this meteorite (and it has not been paired with anything else!). This is a 62.2 gram individual (rounded enough that it is clearly not merely a fragment of something larger) with one end cut of to show the mottled medium to dark brown interior.
62.2 gram "Main Mass" – 35mm x 25mm x 28mm - $900
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Blaine Reed Tucson Show 2011
Blaine Reed Meteorites - Tucson Show 2011
Show Room Ramada Limited, Room 134.
Show info: I will be gone from home from about January 26th until about February 17th (a couple days longer than usual. Just as last year, I need to deliver stuff to and visit with my uncle in Phoenix. This time it is to deliver stuff from my mom's estate). I will be at my usual show location: Ramada Limited, room 134. This is at St Marys and the interstate (next to Denny's) - just 1/4 mile or so due West of Inn Suites (Now called Hotel Tucson City Center - where many of the other meteorite dealers are). My room is about mid-way down the length of the motel (right next to the walk through actually) on the west side of the building (on the parking lot side - and there is often parking available right in front of my room). I should be open the afternoon of January 29th through the afternoon of February 12th. There is always the chance I may leave a couple days early if things get really slow. I have not done this the past few years (but things sure got slow enough last year for me to seriously consider it), but notify me if you plan to see me those last couple days so I will be extra sure to stick around. I will be open every day in between - generally from 10AM until - ? (usually at least 7pm if I am going out to eat and often until 10pm or so other nights).
Show Room Ramada Limited, Room 134.
about January 26th until about February 17th
from 10AM until - ?
Show info: I will be gone from home from about January 26th until about February 17th (a couple days longer than usual. Just as last year, I need to deliver stuff to and visit with my uncle in Phoenix. This time it is to deliver stuff from my mom's estate). I will be at my usual show location: Ramada Limited, room 134. This is at St Marys and the interstate (next to Denny's) - just 1/4 mile or so due West of Inn Suites (Now called Hotel Tucson City Center - where many of the other meteorite dealers are). My room is about mid-way down the length of the motel (right next to the walk through actually) on the west side of the building (on the parking lot side - and there is often parking available right in front of my room). I should be open the afternoon of January 29th through the afternoon of February 12th. There is always the chance I may leave a couple days early if things get really slow. I have not done this the past few years (but things sure got slow enough last year for me to seriously consider it), but notify me if you plan to see me those last couple days so I will be extra sure to stick around. I will be open every day in between - generally from 10AM until - ? (usually at least 7pm if I am going out to eat and often until 10pm or so other nights).
Monday, 17 January 2011
Blaine Reed Meteorites List 99 -Tucson Show Info.
Blaine Reed
P.O. Box 1141
Delta, CO 81416
Ph/fax (970) 874-1487
LIST 99
January 13, 2011
Dear Collectors,
Happy New Year!
Here is the e-mail version of my new list that is in the mail (many of you will likely have received this today). Please try to reach me as soon as possible if you would like anything listed here. I have very little of most of this material and I will be off to Tucson before long. Sorry about the tight time frame (see "gone" dates below), I just got swamped with other things and couldn't get this out earlier.
Show info: I will be gone from home from about January 26th until about February 17th (a couple days longer than usual. Just as last year, I need to deliver stuff to and visit with my uncle in Phoenix. This time it is to deliver stuff from my mom's estate). I will be at my usual show location: Ramada Limited, room 134. This is at St Marys and the interstate (next to Denny's) - just 1/4 mile or so due West of Inn Suites (Now called Hotel Tucson City Center - where many of the other meteorite dealers are). My room is about mid-way down the length of the motel (right next to the walk through actually) on the west side of the building (on the parking lot side - and there is often parking available right in front of my room). I should be open the afternoon of January 29th through the afternoon of February 12th. There is always the chance I may leave a couple days early if things get really slow. I have not done this the past few years (but things sure got slow enough last year for me to seriously consider it), but notify me if you plan to see me those last couple days so I will be extra sure to stick around. I will be open every day in between - generally from 10AM until - ? (usually at least 7pm if I am going out to eat and often until 10pm or so other nights).
TOLUCA, Mexico: Coarse Octahedrite (IAB). Found before 1776. Tkw = quite a lot.
I have not had any of this in years. I used to get some from a mineral dealer from Mexico at the Denver Show a long time ago. Then, they started offering what, to me, seemed to be obvious Campos as Toluca (thankfully, they indeed had them properly labeled as Campos the last time I saw them offering meteorites). I picked these up from a collection of irons supposedly purchased 40 years or so ago. These are really nice! They are solid pieces and actually have nice interesting shapes (particularly the 3 largest pieces, both unusual features for typical Toluca specimens.
1) Wire-brushed complete individuals:
a) 782.1 grams - 95mm x 45mm x 35mm - $350.00
b) 1223.5 grams - 90mm x 60mm x 45mm - $500.00
c) 3581 grams - 130mm x 90mm x 70mm - $1350.00 – shows several large troilite nodules.
d) 4531 grams - 130mm x 130mm x 55mm - $2000.00
BUCK MOUNTAIN, Arizona: (H3.9). Found September 2005 , Tkw = 900grams.
This is something that Robert Ward found. I purchased a small hand full of fragments from him last year and finally got around to cutting them. Normally, I probably would not bother cutting such small pieces, but being a type 3, I thought it would be good to show the chondrules (these were just brown, ratty fragments as I received them). This does show a good number of chondrules on careful inspection. However, they really do tend to blend into the matrix (they are pretty much the same medium brown color as the matrix) so they do not jump out at you. Very little of this is available (I only got 60 grams). I believe that this is only Arizona's second or third type 3 chondrite! Note: I will have to send buyers of pieces of this the usual info card later. I did not get the info I needed before Robert headed out east (visiting friends or family, not sure) and the coordinates and such are back at his home. I WILL make up and send cars out when he is able to get me the info though.
1) Cut fragments:
a) .67 grams - 10mm x 9mm x 3mm - $8.00
b) .97 grams - 12mm x 10mm x 3mm - $12.00
c) 1.8 grams - 14mm x 12mm x 5mm - $20.00
d) 4.0 grams - 20mm x 18mm x 5mm - $40.00
e) 5.9 grams - 28mm x 22mm x 5mm - $59.00
SAYH AL UHAYMIR (504), Oman: (L5/6), S2, W3. Found March 12, 2010. Tkw = about 20kilograms.
This also something Robert Ward turned up. I got this from him during the Denver Show. It is a nice basic weathered (but not trashed) L chondrite. This has a fairly pleasing appearance (the reason I jumped on a decent sized batch of it when he offered it). Robert put a really nice high polish on this, so it looks far better than most typical L stones of similar weathering condition. It shoes a few chondrules, quite a lot of hematite/magnetite veining (not much fresh metal) in a mixed medium brown and dark greenish gray matrix. Not rare, but representative and very well prepared.
1) Slices: one side polished:
a) 11.0 grams - 30mm x 23mm x 6mm - $10.00
b) 25.4 grams - 50mm x 27mm x 7mm - $22.00
c) 48.0 grams - 50mm x 48mm x 7mm - $40.00
d) 78.5 grams - 70mm x 55mm x 7mm - $63.00
e) 151.2 grams - 95mm x 73mm x 7mm - $115.00
2) End pieces:
a) 337.4 grams - 110mm x 77mm x 23mm - $235.00
b) 514.2 grams - 125mm x 60mm x 40mm - $335.00
c) 973.4 grams - 135mm x 75mm x 50mm - $585.00
TENHAM, Australia: (L6), veined. Fell spring 1879. Tkw = over 160 kilograms.
I have had a number of (fairly large) whole pieces of this for years (now I have only the possibly oriented one listed below). I had a few people ask for smaller or sliced pieces (a couple researchers wanted cut pieces as Tenham is one of only a couple known meteorites that is shocked enough to have veins of ringwoodite and majorite – the high pressure phases of olivine and pyroxene) so I cut up a couple stones to supply this need. I don't have much of this left, and I don't expect to be able to get any more either, so don't wait long if you have been wanting to add this name to your collection.
1) Slices;
a) 6.1 grams - 23mm x 22mm x 4mm - $40.00
b) 10.3 grams - 40mm x 22mm x 4mm - $65.00
c) 20.7 grams - 45mm x 42mm x 4mm - $130.00 – nice complete slice.
2) End pieces: back sides completely crusted.
a) 40.7 grams - 40mm x 35mm x 14mm - $225.00
b) 60.7 grams - 41mm x 39mm x 22mm - $325.00
3) Complete individual: one 10mm x 9mm late atmospheric chip, remainder fully crusted.
a) 241.5 grams – 54mm x 54mm x 35mm - $1200.00 – This looks like it might be oriented. It has the right general shape and the crust around the edge of the "back side" looks a little rougher than the rest. This meteorite has a unique looking crust texture that never shows distinct flow lines or such, so identifying truly oriented pieces from this fall is nearly impossible. Nice stone, regardless.
DHOFAR (018), Oman: (Howardite). Found January 17, 2000. Tkw = 833 grams.
This one caused quite a stir when it first came out years ago. The sellers thought it was Lunar as it looks virtually identical to Dhoar (1180) (close enough that I went to extra trouble to have one of my pieces looked at again). They cut it super thin with a wire saw and went about selling it as Lunar. The science though said this find though was "just a howardite". Refunds were given and samples returned to the sellers, who eventually sold me these pieces. Amazing stuff and definitely different than any other howardite I have had.
1) Slices:
a) .49 grams - 18mm x 10mm x 1mm - $15.00
b) .75 grams - 39mm x 8mm x 1mm - $23.00
c) 1.4 grams - 33mm x 21mm x 1mm - $42.00
d) 2.9 grams - 49mm x 24mm x 1mm - $85.00
SPRINGWATER, Canada: (Pallasite). Found 1931. Tkw = about 200 kilograms.
These are pieces that Farmer and company turned up recently. So far, they have only been allowed to export a few kilos of these small "individuals" (some may be weathering/ freeze – thaw fragments). They may not be allowed to bring any more out either. But then, I guess that does not matter (to them anyway, the rest of us would be left out) if they can sell it all for the price they want to institutes in Canada anyway. I cut my pieces open to show the interior. Some of these do show some weathering effects (mostly the smallest piece I have – not surprising, and, oddly, the largest specimen) and are priced accordingly. Regardless, they all have plenty of fresh metal and olivine to look like the pallasite they are.
1) End pieces:
a) 4.1 grams - 17mm x 16mm x 6mm - $60.00
b) 10.0 grams - 23mm x 20mm x 7mm - $200.00 – nice!
c) 19.7 grams - 30mm x 28mm x 12mm - $350.00 – has lots of troilite.
d) 50.8 grams - 45mm x 35mm x 14mm - $900.00 – nice!
e) 89.8 grams - 42mm x 37mm x 26mm - $1300.00
MICRO-TEKTITES: Pilbara, Western Australia.
Some of the Precambrian rocks of the Hamersley Basin contain tsunami debris from several huge ancient impacts (from roughly 20km diameter or Eros-sized impactors on at least three separate occasions between 3.47 and 2.47 billion years ago). These deposits contain micro-tektites, impact spherules and have a high iridium content. These micro-tektites, once glass, are now found (with extremely great difficulty) as millimeter or so sized devitrified sand-like textured spheres in weathered limestones and cherts of the area. Not many of these will be available from now on, as the area has been made off limits to further rock collecting.
a) Sample with 1 or more - $50.00
b) Sample with 3 (or more same as above) - $75.00
c) Sample with at least 4 spherules - $100
d) Super special sample with over 20! - $500
Please include postage: a couple dollars on small U.S. orders and $10 on large items for first class (insurance is extra, if desired). On small overseas orders, $3 to $5 is generally plenty (I'll have to custom figure the rate for large items). Registration is also recommended on more valuable overseas shipments - an extra $12.00.
If you are sending a fax, simply begin transmitting when my line is answered. My fax will turn on automatically to receive (or I will start it if I answer) when you begin transmitting.
P.O. Box 1141
Delta, CO 81416
Ph/fax (970) 874-1487
LIST 99
January 13, 2011
Dear Collectors,
Happy New Year!
Here is the e-mail version of my new list that is in the mail (many of you will likely have received this today). Please try to reach me as soon as possible if you would like anything listed here. I have very little of most of this material and I will be off to Tucson before long. Sorry about the tight time frame (see "gone" dates below), I just got swamped with other things and couldn't get this out earlier.
Show info: I will be gone from home from about January 26th until about February 17th (a couple days longer than usual. Just as last year, I need to deliver stuff to and visit with my uncle in Phoenix. This time it is to deliver stuff from my mom's estate). I will be at my usual show location: Ramada Limited, room 134. This is at St Marys and the interstate (next to Denny's) - just 1/4 mile or so due West of Inn Suites (Now called Hotel Tucson City Center - where many of the other meteorite dealers are). My room is about mid-way down the length of the motel (right next to the walk through actually) on the west side of the building (on the parking lot side - and there is often parking available right in front of my room). I should be open the afternoon of January 29th through the afternoon of February 12th. There is always the chance I may leave a couple days early if things get really slow. I have not done this the past few years (but things sure got slow enough last year for me to seriously consider it), but notify me if you plan to see me those last couple days so I will be extra sure to stick around. I will be open every day in between - generally from 10AM until - ? (usually at least 7pm if I am going out to eat and often until 10pm or so other nights).
TOLUCA, Mexico: Coarse Octahedrite (IAB). Found before 1776. Tkw = quite a lot.
I have not had any of this in years. I used to get some from a mineral dealer from Mexico at the Denver Show a long time ago. Then, they started offering what, to me, seemed to be obvious Campos as Toluca (thankfully, they indeed had them properly labeled as Campos the last time I saw them offering meteorites). I picked these up from a collection of irons supposedly purchased 40 years or so ago. These are really nice! They are solid pieces and actually have nice interesting shapes (particularly the 3 largest pieces, both unusual features for typical Toluca specimens.
1) Wire-brushed complete individuals:
a) 782.1 grams - 95mm x 45mm x 35mm - $350.00
b) 1223.5 grams - 90mm x 60mm x 45mm - $500.00
c) 3581 grams - 130mm x 90mm x 70mm - $1350.00 – shows several large troilite nodules.
d) 4531 grams - 130mm x 130mm x 55mm - $2000.00
BUCK MOUNTAIN, Arizona: (H3.9). Found September 2005 , Tkw = 900grams.
This is something that Robert Ward found. I purchased a small hand full of fragments from him last year and finally got around to cutting them. Normally, I probably would not bother cutting such small pieces, but being a type 3, I thought it would be good to show the chondrules (these were just brown, ratty fragments as I received them). This does show a good number of chondrules on careful inspection. However, they really do tend to blend into the matrix (they are pretty much the same medium brown color as the matrix) so they do not jump out at you. Very little of this is available (I only got 60 grams). I believe that this is only Arizona's second or third type 3 chondrite! Note: I will have to send buyers of pieces of this the usual info card later. I did not get the info I needed before Robert headed out east (visiting friends or family, not sure) and the coordinates and such are back at his home. I WILL make up and send cars out when he is able to get me the info though.
1) Cut fragments:
a) .67 grams - 10mm x 9mm x 3mm - $8.00
b) .97 grams - 12mm x 10mm x 3mm - $12.00
c) 1.8 grams - 14mm x 12mm x 5mm - $20.00
d) 4.0 grams - 20mm x 18mm x 5mm - $40.00
e) 5.9 grams - 28mm x 22mm x 5mm - $59.00
SAYH AL UHAYMIR (504), Oman: (L5/6), S2, W3. Found March 12, 2010. Tkw = about 20kilograms.
This also something Robert Ward turned up. I got this from him during the Denver Show. It is a nice basic weathered (but not trashed) L chondrite. This has a fairly pleasing appearance (the reason I jumped on a decent sized batch of it when he offered it). Robert put a really nice high polish on this, so it looks far better than most typical L stones of similar weathering condition. It shoes a few chondrules, quite a lot of hematite/magnetite veining (not much fresh metal) in a mixed medium brown and dark greenish gray matrix. Not rare, but representative and very well prepared.
1) Slices: one side polished:
a) 11.0 grams - 30mm x 23mm x 6mm - $10.00
b) 25.4 grams - 50mm x 27mm x 7mm - $22.00
c) 48.0 grams - 50mm x 48mm x 7mm - $40.00
d) 78.5 grams - 70mm x 55mm x 7mm - $63.00
e) 151.2 grams - 95mm x 73mm x 7mm - $115.00
2) End pieces:
a) 337.4 grams - 110mm x 77mm x 23mm - $235.00
b) 514.2 grams - 125mm x 60mm x 40mm - $335.00
c) 973.4 grams - 135mm x 75mm x 50mm - $585.00
TENHAM, Australia: (L6), veined. Fell spring 1879. Tkw = over 160 kilograms.
I have had a number of (fairly large) whole pieces of this for years (now I have only the possibly oriented one listed below). I had a few people ask for smaller or sliced pieces (a couple researchers wanted cut pieces as Tenham is one of only a couple known meteorites that is shocked enough to have veins of ringwoodite and majorite – the high pressure phases of olivine and pyroxene) so I cut up a couple stones to supply this need. I don't have much of this left, and I don't expect to be able to get any more either, so don't wait long if you have been wanting to add this name to your collection.
1) Slices;
a) 6.1 grams - 23mm x 22mm x 4mm - $40.00
b) 10.3 grams - 40mm x 22mm x 4mm - $65.00
c) 20.7 grams - 45mm x 42mm x 4mm - $130.00 – nice complete slice.
2) End pieces: back sides completely crusted.
a) 40.7 grams - 40mm x 35mm x 14mm - $225.00
b) 60.7 grams - 41mm x 39mm x 22mm - $325.00
3) Complete individual: one 10mm x 9mm late atmospheric chip, remainder fully crusted.
a) 241.5 grams – 54mm x 54mm x 35mm - $1200.00 – This looks like it might be oriented. It has the right general shape and the crust around the edge of the "back side" looks a little rougher than the rest. This meteorite has a unique looking crust texture that never shows distinct flow lines or such, so identifying truly oriented pieces from this fall is nearly impossible. Nice stone, regardless.
DHOFAR (018), Oman: (Howardite). Found January 17, 2000. Tkw = 833 grams.
This one caused quite a stir when it first came out years ago. The sellers thought it was Lunar as it looks virtually identical to Dhoar (1180) (close enough that I went to extra trouble to have one of my pieces looked at again). They cut it super thin with a wire saw and went about selling it as Lunar. The science though said this find though was "just a howardite". Refunds were given and samples returned to the sellers, who eventually sold me these pieces. Amazing stuff and definitely different than any other howardite I have had.
1) Slices:
a) .49 grams - 18mm x 10mm x 1mm - $15.00
b) .75 grams - 39mm x 8mm x 1mm - $23.00
c) 1.4 grams - 33mm x 21mm x 1mm - $42.00
d) 2.9 grams - 49mm x 24mm x 1mm - $85.00
SPRINGWATER, Canada: (Pallasite). Found 1931. Tkw = about 200 kilograms.
These are pieces that Farmer and company turned up recently. So far, they have only been allowed to export a few kilos of these small "individuals" (some may be weathering/ freeze – thaw fragments). They may not be allowed to bring any more out either. But then, I guess that does not matter (to them anyway, the rest of us would be left out) if they can sell it all for the price they want to institutes in Canada anyway. I cut my pieces open to show the interior. Some of these do show some weathering effects (mostly the smallest piece I have – not surprising, and, oddly, the largest specimen) and are priced accordingly. Regardless, they all have plenty of fresh metal and olivine to look like the pallasite they are.
1) End pieces:
a) 4.1 grams - 17mm x 16mm x 6mm - $60.00
b) 10.0 grams - 23mm x 20mm x 7mm - $200.00 – nice!
c) 19.7 grams - 30mm x 28mm x 12mm - $350.00 – has lots of troilite.
d) 50.8 grams - 45mm x 35mm x 14mm - $900.00 – nice!
e) 89.8 grams - 42mm x 37mm x 26mm - $1300.00
MICRO-TEKTITES: Pilbara, Western Australia.
Some of the Precambrian rocks of the Hamersley Basin contain tsunami debris from several huge ancient impacts (from roughly 20km diameter or Eros-sized impactors on at least three separate occasions between 3.47 and 2.47 billion years ago). These deposits contain micro-tektites, impact spherules and have a high iridium content. These micro-tektites, once glass, are now found (with extremely great difficulty) as millimeter or so sized devitrified sand-like textured spheres in weathered limestones and cherts of the area. Not many of these will be available from now on, as the area has been made off limits to further rock collecting.
a) Sample with 1 or more - $50.00
b) Sample with 3 (or more same as above) - $75.00
c) Sample with at least 4 spherules - $100
d) Super special sample with over 20! - $500
Please include postage: a couple dollars on small U.S. orders and $10 on large items for first class (insurance is extra, if desired). On small overseas orders, $3 to $5 is generally plenty (I'll have to custom figure the rate for large items). Registration is also recommended on more valuable overseas shipments - an extra $12.00.
If you are sending a fax, simply begin transmitting when my line is answered. My fax will turn on automatically to receive (or I will start it if I answer) when you begin transmitting.
Friday, 31 December 2010
Blaine Reed Meteorites List 98 - Norton County and other Monig specimens
Blaine Reed
P.O. Box 1141
Delta, CO 81416
Ph/fax (970) 874-1487
LIST 98
December 28, 2010
Dear Collectors,
I really had not planned on having any further lists this year. I was supposed to be in Denver this week. Unfortunately the weather and several deals that need to be finished (including picking up a nice 8.4kg natural Gibeon specimen from the owner in Grand Junction yesterday) prevented this. The weather is not bad right now (sunny – only the second day in weeks! My solar system has not proven to be of much use the past couple months, unfortunately). But, another big storm is moving in and expected to stay awhile. Linda has jury duty January 3rd as well and I cannot risk getting stuck an extra week in Denver right now (as happened all last December and January on every trip I made up there to clean up my Aunt's estate).
Any way, these are a few things from TCU. Most of these have a Monig collection label. The large Travis (a) slice and the fragment lots of Norton County don't, unfortunately (I may be able to get a label made up for the Travis (a) piece and send that to the buyer later though).
NORTON COUNTY, Kansas: enstatite achondrite (Aubrite). Fell February 18, 1948. Tkw = 1175kg.
I have not had any of this in a looong time, particularly pieces large enough to actually weigh (the 4 fragment lot could have easily been broken down into 4 individually weighed specimens). As mentioned above, the two large specimens (3.1g and 18.0g) come with Monig Collection labels.
a) 2.9 grams of fragments (crumbs to about 7 or 8mm in size) in glass vial - $75
b) 3.0 grams; 4 nice fragments (roughly equal size) - $120
c) 3.1 gram fragment – 18mm x 15mm x 8mm - $120
d) 18.0 gram fragment – 31mm x 28mm x 16mm - $675 – this has a really large enstatite crystal (30mm x 20mm x 10mm) on one end.
TRAVIS COUNTY (a), Texas: (H5). Found 1889. Tkw = 175.4kg.
This is the fresher (by a bit) of the two Travis County stones. It has a good number of metal and sulfide rimmed chondrules in a dark green/gray matrix. This piece also has a few large Troilite inclusions (one that is about 10mm x 6mm).
136.9 gram complete slice – 175mm x 80mm x 3mm - $200
TRAVIS COUNTY (b), Texas: (H4). Found before 1980. Tkw = 5.9kg.
This is the rarer of the two Travis County stones. It is a bit more weathered than the Travis (a), but is still nice. These pices show lots of chondrules (really visible on the back unpolished side) in a mixed medium to dark brown matrix.
a) 20.1 gram part slice – 45mm x 34mm x 5mm - $40
b) 64.2 gram ½ slice – 80mm x 60mm x 5mm - $120
TULIA (d), Texas: (H6). Found 1981. Tkw = 17.7kg.
Yep, I did sell the last piece I had of this from the last list, BUT the folks at TCU noticed this offering and sent up a couple pieces (2 "large" complete slices) that they had set aside somewhere (as inventory for potential trades with other museums, perhaps). Any way, I am offering the largest here. I have a very similar 99.2 gram piece, but I am temporarily holding that one for someone that wanted the 74g one I had last time but missed out.
114.1 gram complete slice – 100mm x 84mm x 4mm - $285
P.O. Box 1141
Delta, CO 81416
Ph/fax (970) 874-1487
LIST 98
December 28, 2010
Dear Collectors,
I really had not planned on having any further lists this year. I was supposed to be in Denver this week. Unfortunately the weather and several deals that need to be finished (including picking up a nice 8.4kg natural Gibeon specimen from the owner in Grand Junction yesterday) prevented this. The weather is not bad right now (sunny – only the second day in weeks! My solar system has not proven to be of much use the past couple months, unfortunately). But, another big storm is moving in and expected to stay awhile. Linda has jury duty January 3rd as well and I cannot risk getting stuck an extra week in Denver right now (as happened all last December and January on every trip I made up there to clean up my Aunt's estate).
Any way, these are a few things from TCU. Most of these have a Monig collection label. The large Travis (a) slice and the fragment lots of Norton County don't, unfortunately (I may be able to get a label made up for the Travis (a) piece and send that to the buyer later though).
NORTON COUNTY, Kansas: enstatite achondrite (Aubrite). Fell February 18, 1948. Tkw = 1175kg.
I have not had any of this in a looong time, particularly pieces large enough to actually weigh (the 4 fragment lot could have easily been broken down into 4 individually weighed specimens). As mentioned above, the two large specimens (3.1g and 18.0g) come with Monig Collection labels.
a) 2.9 grams of fragments (crumbs to about 7 or 8mm in size) in glass vial - $75
b) 3.0 grams; 4 nice fragments (roughly equal size) - $120
c) 3.1 gram fragment – 18mm x 15mm x 8mm - $120
d) 18.0 gram fragment – 31mm x 28mm x 16mm - $675 – this has a really large enstatite crystal (30mm x 20mm x 10mm) on one end.
TRAVIS COUNTY (a), Texas: (H5). Found 1889. Tkw = 175.4kg.
This is the fresher (by a bit) of the two Travis County stones. It has a good number of metal and sulfide rimmed chondrules in a dark green/gray matrix. This piece also has a few large Troilite inclusions (one that is about 10mm x 6mm).
136.9 gram complete slice – 175mm x 80mm x 3mm - $200
TRAVIS COUNTY (b), Texas: (H4). Found before 1980. Tkw = 5.9kg.
This is the rarer of the two Travis County stones. It is a bit more weathered than the Travis (a), but is still nice. These pices show lots of chondrules (really visible on the back unpolished side) in a mixed medium to dark brown matrix.
a) 20.1 gram part slice – 45mm x 34mm x 5mm - $40
b) 64.2 gram ½ slice – 80mm x 60mm x 5mm - $120
TULIA (d), Texas: (H6). Found 1981. Tkw = 17.7kg.
Yep, I did sell the last piece I had of this from the last list, BUT the folks at TCU noticed this offering and sent up a couple pieces (2 "large" complete slices) that they had set aside somewhere (as inventory for potential trades with other museums, perhaps). Any way, I am offering the largest here. I have a very similar 99.2 gram piece, but I am temporarily holding that one for someone that wanted the 74g one I had last time but missed out.
114.1 gram complete slice – 100mm x 84mm x 4mm - $285
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Blaine Reed Meteorites List 97, more consigned plus "gift ideas"
Blaine Reed
P.O. Box 1141
Delta, CO 81416
Ph/fax (970) 874-1487
LIST 97
December 14, 2010
Dear Collectors,
Here is an offering of remaining consigned items and a couple things that turned up while doing inventory work (I have just begun this long tedious process, so more my turn up later). I also forgot about some beautiful sterling wire-wrapped Moldavite and Libyan glass pendants that would make great gifts, though I am, admittedly, a bit late on that. I can ship express if needed though..
HUCKITTA, Australia: (Pallasite).
This is a smaller piece than the last one I listed. This is a slice though.
6.3 grams slice (no cut edges) – 22mm x 17mm x 5mm - $12
NWA (----): Unstudied. Likely (L6) .
This is a nice part slice. It has 2 cut edges and the remainder shows slightly wind-polished black crust. The interior is also interesting. It shows a good number of black shock veins in a light brown matrix. Nice stuff, would not mind having a fairly large quantity of this one if it were available.
17.7 gram slice – 45mm x 30mm x 5mm - $20
NWA (-----): Unstudied. Likely (H5).
This is a nice complete slice that shows lots of metal in a mixed light to medium brown matrix. If it didn't have a wind-polished crust edge, I would probably guess that this was Gao.
17.2 gram complete slice – 52mm x 27mm x 4mm - $15
NWA (2907): Anomalous achondrite. Found before Sept. 2005. Tkw = 203grams.
This is some strange stuff I picked up at the Denver Show. It has the mineralogy of a diogenite but it appears to be from the parent body of the Mesosiderites. It certainly does not look anything like a diogenite. It has fine granular texture with some slightly larger (couple mm or so) clasts in a orangish to almost pinkish brown matrix. This is a consigned specimen. I think I have a few (but very few) pieces remaining of this of my own (though I have not come across them yet), so let me know if more of you want specimens and I will set them aside or you when I do locate mine.
.85 grams complete slice – 17mm x 10mm x 2mm - $65
SANTA VITORIA DO PALMAR, Brazil: (L3). Found 2003/2004.
This, as with the Huckitta, is a smaller piece than offered last time that turned up in the same consignment lot.
1.5 gram slice – 15mm x 8mm x 4mm - $8
SELMA, Alabama: (H4). Found 1906. Tkw = 141kg.
This is just a basic square cut sample(a nice "macro"). The unpolished back shows lots of chondrules. The front shows fewer chondrules (polishing darkens things) in a dark green and brown mixed matrix.
3.6 gram slice – 18mm x 17mm x 3mm - $30
SEYMCHAN, Russia; (Pallasite).
This is a nice rectangle cut iron piece. It has a beautiful etch and particularly well shows the fantastic diversity of this meteorite's structure (with areas that appear to be finest octahedrite structure as well as some bands that are almost coarsest octahedral width). A really nice piece and a testament to the stability of this stuff. This shows only the tinniest traces of brown rust staining along a couple crystal boundaries on the back even after spending considerable time in Florida (without special storage no less!).
62.0gram etched 9both sides) slice – 61mm x 41mm x 3mm - $90
TULIA (D), Texas: (H6). Found 1981. Tkw = 17.7kg.
This is my last piece of this, and I know the source (TCU) is not cutting any more. I don't think they cut much of this to begin with, so very little of it is floating around the collecting world. This is a large piece, but I have tried to price it very close (if not slightly under) what I paid for the thing. However, let me know if you want a smaller piece of this for your collection. If I get a number of "smaller pieces wanted" orders, I may break this down.
78.7 gram slice – 95mm x 70mm x 4mm - $175
ZAG, Morocco: (H3-6). Fell August 4 or 5 1998. Tkw = 175kg.
This is one of 2 meteorites that halite crystals were discovered in 9the other being Monahans, TX). This is a nice "E-Bay" lot perhaps. It consists of 5 pieces including 2 large pieces (23mm x 6mm x 5mm and 28mm x 10mm x 5mm) and a couple small (a bit under 1cm max dimension) fragments.
13.5 grams slices and fragments - $25
JEWELRY: I know, I really needed to have these offered last week (or earlier) but completely forgot about these things until I opened the box they were in while inventorying part of the vault a couple days ago. I am going to try to get Blake to take a group photo of these so I can send it to anyone interested. I will have the different sized moldavite and libyan glass pendants arranged from lightest (first listed below) to heaviest from left to right in the picture. The other items should be fairly obvious.
CAMPO DEL CIELO:
I have 2 necklaces that have a Campo nugget as the center piece. BUT, the remainder, in my opinion, is the best part. These are very well done. They use all kinds of glass and stone beads. The maker also felt (and I certainly agree) they were good enough to spend extra money to use a sterling "lobster claw" for the clasp. One is mostly blue and light purple, the other red and yellows. Your choice - $80
LIBYAN DESERT GLASS:
These are nice clear pieces (the largest does have a fair number of round white crystobalite inclusions though) that have wire-wrapped in sterling with almost indescribable skill. The "back side" of these is often even fancier on the silver work than what will be visible in the picture.
a) 7.6 grams total - $80 – glass sample is roughly 25mm x 16mm x 6mm. Overall pendant is 35mm x 25mm x 22mm.
b) 11.3 grams total - $115 – glass sample is roughly 30mm x 21mm x 8mm and roughly arrow-head shaped. Overall pendant is 53mm x 22mm x 10mm.
c) 12.4 grams total - $125 – glass sample is roughly 35mm x 20mm x 12mm. Overall pendant is 50mm x 25mm x 15mm.
MOLDAVITE:
These, as above, are fancy wrapped with sterling (except the carving – noted below and photoed next to the NWA (482) and Sikhote pieces). I tried to pick samples that have nice surface texture to them (no river-worn pieces here). Some do have broken or chipped areas, but they were wrapped such that this does not readily show from the front. Also, as above, the silver work is often fancier than that on the front (so accidentally wearing one of these backwards would still look great).
a) 9.4 grams total - $100 – moldavite is roughly 26mm x 17mm x 5mm. Overall pendant is 37mm x 30mm x 10mm.
b) 11.2 grams total - $115 – moldavite is roughly 40mm x 14mm x 6mm. Overall pendant is 63mm x 17mm x 12mm.
c) 17.2 grams total - $170 – moldavite is roughly 40mm x 12mm x 10mm. Overall pendant is 63mm x 17mm x 13mm (this has some really heavy sterling "wire" in it).
d) Moldavite with 3 amethyst gem stones. Now this is really special! The work in this thing is incredible. The moldavite is roughly 40mm x 12mm x 5mm and the overall pendant is 62mm x 25mm x 10mm - $250
e) Moldavite carving. This is a 18mm x 16mm x 9mm moldavite that has a beautiful woman's face carved into it (remainder is natural) and wire-wrapped in 14kt gold-filled wire. Total weight is 4.0g - $100.
NWA (482):
This is my last "moon dust" pendant. It is a small (20mm long) tear-drop glass vial with dust from the cutting of the NWA (482) moon rock. It is attached (glued?) to a 14kt gold bell cap. - $100
SIKHOTE-ALIN:
This is a nice basic shrapnel piece (roughly 28mm x 17mm x 6mm) wrapped simply but elegantly in sterling wire. Total piece is 13.5 grams and 40mm x 19mm x 7mm - $45
P.O. Box 1141
Delta, CO 81416
Ph/fax (970) 874-1487
LIST 97
December 14, 2010
Dear Collectors,
Here is an offering of remaining consigned items and a couple things that turned up while doing inventory work (I have just begun this long tedious process, so more my turn up later). I also forgot about some beautiful sterling wire-wrapped Moldavite and Libyan glass pendants that would make great gifts, though I am, admittedly, a bit late on that. I can ship express if needed though..
HUCKITTA, Australia: (Pallasite).
This is a smaller piece than the last one I listed. This is a slice though.
6.3 grams slice (no cut edges) – 22mm x 17mm x 5mm - $12
NWA (----): Unstudied. Likely (L6) .
This is a nice part slice. It has 2 cut edges and the remainder shows slightly wind-polished black crust. The interior is also interesting. It shows a good number of black shock veins in a light brown matrix. Nice stuff, would not mind having a fairly large quantity of this one if it were available.
17.7 gram slice – 45mm x 30mm x 5mm - $20
NWA (-----): Unstudied. Likely (H5).
This is a nice complete slice that shows lots of metal in a mixed light to medium brown matrix. If it didn't have a wind-polished crust edge, I would probably guess that this was Gao.
17.2 gram complete slice – 52mm x 27mm x 4mm - $15
NWA (2907): Anomalous achondrite. Found before Sept. 2005. Tkw = 203grams.
This is some strange stuff I picked up at the Denver Show. It has the mineralogy of a diogenite but it appears to be from the parent body of the Mesosiderites. It certainly does not look anything like a diogenite. It has fine granular texture with some slightly larger (couple mm or so) clasts in a orangish to almost pinkish brown matrix. This is a consigned specimen. I think I have a few (but very few) pieces remaining of this of my own (though I have not come across them yet), so let me know if more of you want specimens and I will set them aside or you when I do locate mine.
.85 grams complete slice – 17mm x 10mm x 2mm - $65
SANTA VITORIA DO PALMAR, Brazil: (L3). Found 2003/2004.
This, as with the Huckitta, is a smaller piece than offered last time that turned up in the same consignment lot.
1.5 gram slice – 15mm x 8mm x 4mm - $8
SELMA, Alabama: (H4). Found 1906. Tkw = 141kg.
This is just a basic square cut sample(a nice "macro"). The unpolished back shows lots of chondrules. The front shows fewer chondrules (polishing darkens things) in a dark green and brown mixed matrix.
3.6 gram slice – 18mm x 17mm x 3mm - $30
SEYMCHAN, Russia; (Pallasite).
This is a nice rectangle cut iron piece. It has a beautiful etch and particularly well shows the fantastic diversity of this meteorite's structure (with areas that appear to be finest octahedrite structure as well as some bands that are almost coarsest octahedral width). A really nice piece and a testament to the stability of this stuff. This shows only the tinniest traces of brown rust staining along a couple crystal boundaries on the back even after spending considerable time in Florida (without special storage no less!).
62.0gram etched 9both sides) slice – 61mm x 41mm x 3mm - $90
TULIA (D), Texas: (H6). Found 1981. Tkw = 17.7kg.
This is my last piece of this, and I know the source (TCU) is not cutting any more. I don't think they cut much of this to begin with, so very little of it is floating around the collecting world. This is a large piece, but I have tried to price it very close (if not slightly under) what I paid for the thing. However, let me know if you want a smaller piece of this for your collection. If I get a number of "smaller pieces wanted" orders, I may break this down.
78.7 gram slice – 95mm x 70mm x 4mm - $175
ZAG, Morocco: (H3-6). Fell August 4 or 5 1998. Tkw = 175kg.
This is one of 2 meteorites that halite crystals were discovered in 9the other being Monahans, TX). This is a nice "E-Bay" lot perhaps. It consists of 5 pieces including 2 large pieces (23mm x 6mm x 5mm and 28mm x 10mm x 5mm) and a couple small (a bit under 1cm max dimension) fragments.
13.5 grams slices and fragments - $25
JEWELRY: I know, I really needed to have these offered last week (or earlier) but completely forgot about these things until I opened the box they were in while inventorying part of the vault a couple days ago. I am going to try to get Blake to take a group photo of these so I can send it to anyone interested. I will have the different sized moldavite and libyan glass pendants arranged from lightest (first listed below) to heaviest from left to right in the picture. The other items should be fairly obvious.
CAMPO DEL CIELO:
I have 2 necklaces that have a Campo nugget as the center piece. BUT, the remainder, in my opinion, is the best part. These are very well done. They use all kinds of glass and stone beads. The maker also felt (and I certainly agree) they were good enough to spend extra money to use a sterling "lobster claw" for the clasp. One is mostly blue and light purple, the other red and yellows. Your choice - $80
LIBYAN DESERT GLASS:
These are nice clear pieces (the largest does have a fair number of round white crystobalite inclusions though) that have wire-wrapped in sterling with almost indescribable skill. The "back side" of these is often even fancier on the silver work than what will be visible in the picture.
a) 7.6 grams total - $80 – glass sample is roughly 25mm x 16mm x 6mm. Overall pendant is 35mm x 25mm x 22mm.
b) 11.3 grams total - $115 – glass sample is roughly 30mm x 21mm x 8mm and roughly arrow-head shaped. Overall pendant is 53mm x 22mm x 10mm.
c) 12.4 grams total - $125 – glass sample is roughly 35mm x 20mm x 12mm. Overall pendant is 50mm x 25mm x 15mm.
MOLDAVITE:
These, as above, are fancy wrapped with sterling (except the carving – noted below and photoed next to the NWA (482) and Sikhote pieces). I tried to pick samples that have nice surface texture to them (no river-worn pieces here). Some do have broken or chipped areas, but they were wrapped such that this does not readily show from the front. Also, as above, the silver work is often fancier than that on the front (so accidentally wearing one of these backwards would still look great).
a) 9.4 grams total - $100 – moldavite is roughly 26mm x 17mm x 5mm. Overall pendant is 37mm x 30mm x 10mm.
b) 11.2 grams total - $115 – moldavite is roughly 40mm x 14mm x 6mm. Overall pendant is 63mm x 17mm x 12mm.
c) 17.2 grams total - $170 – moldavite is roughly 40mm x 12mm x 10mm. Overall pendant is 63mm x 17mm x 13mm (this has some really heavy sterling "wire" in it).
d) Moldavite with 3 amethyst gem stones. Now this is really special! The work in this thing is incredible. The moldavite is roughly 40mm x 12mm x 5mm and the overall pendant is 62mm x 25mm x 10mm - $250
e) Moldavite carving. This is a 18mm x 16mm x 9mm moldavite that has a beautiful woman's face carved into it (remainder is natural) and wire-wrapped in 14kt gold-filled wire. Total weight is 4.0g - $100.
NWA (482):
This is my last "moon dust" pendant. It is a small (20mm long) tear-drop glass vial with dust from the cutting of the NWA (482) moon rock. It is attached (glued?) to a 14kt gold bell cap. - $100
SIKHOTE-ALIN:
This is a nice basic shrapnel piece (roughly 28mm x 17mm x 6mm) wrapped simply but elegantly in sterling wire. Total piece is 13.5 grams and 40mm x 19mm x 7mm - $45
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
List 96, more miscellaneous consigned items
Blaine Reed
P.O. Box 1141
Delta, CO 81416
Ph/fax (970) 874-1487
..................................LIST 96
November 30, 2010
Dear Collectors,
I have been very busy with projects of various sorts and have not had time to put together any kind of list for the past month and a half. These items are actually from a box of consignments that was sent to me shortly after the Denver Show. I do hope to get on the ball and get inventory work started soon. That should bring out some special "only got a tiny bit left" offerings next month. Unfortunately though that on top of all of the other things I have been trying to accomplish I got notice yesterday that I need to prepare the "landing spot" for a trailer that will become my ultra-light's hanger. I have gotten tired of hanging myself trying to carefully get around all of the wires of the hang-glider wing taking up a substantial portion of my garage (I am beginning to think that the reason they call these wings "hang-gliders" is not because you hang underneath them while flying, but because you can't move around one that is completely or partially set up with out hanging yourself on a support wire or two). This was NOT a project I had planned on working on for the near term, but the trailer yard says it must be moved by the end of next week. I will have many hours of dirt moving and such to do now, so future lists (and the inventory work that will generate them) will likely be a bit delayed or oddly timed. I apologize for this.
ALLENDE, Mexico: Carbonaceous chondrite (CV3.2). Fell February 8, 1969.
This is a nice complete stone! It has a very high amount of crust coverage (something like 90% - only the usual chipped edges). What is interesting is that all o this crust shows lots of contraction cracks. This may be partly due to the act that I think that this may be a "later" recovery and some light colored dirt has settled into the cracks. However, this is not one of the really later recoveries, it is still very fresh (no rust, no lichen and such as found on some of the most recent recovered specimens). Another interesting feature is a crater where a 3mm chondrule popped out during the fall that is now fully crusted over.
8.8 gram crusted individual – 20mm x 17mm x 16mm - $90
BONITA SPRINGS, Florida: (H5). Found 1938. Tkw = 41.8 kg.
I am quite surprised at how fresh this is. I would think that any iron bearing meteorite found in Florida (or similar environment) would be deeply rust weathered. This is a nice light gray (there are some brown spots) color with lots of fresh metal.
3.0 gram slice – 18mm x 18mm x 3mm - $75
BRAHIN, Belarus: (pallasite). Found 1810. Tkw = 1000+kg.
This slice, of coarse, shows a fair amount of rusting, but it has not completely fallen apart (amazing considering it spent a long time in Florida). This does have some nice gemmy crystals though. One is really clear (only about 4mm x 4mm though) and could possibly be cut into a gem stone
5.7 gram slice – 27mm x 12mm x 5mm - $10
CANYON DIABLO, Arizona: rock flour.
This is a small container (approximately 20mm x 20mm x 15mm) that is a bit over half full of white powdered sandstone. This is some of the "rock flour" (highly shocked Coconino Sandstone) that was retrieved from the "mine" shaft in the bottom of the crater.
Approximately 18mm x 18mm x 10mm in box - $20
GHUBARA, Oman: (L5), black, xenolithic. Found 1954. Tkw = 250+kg.
2.5 gram slice – 15mm x 8mm x 6mm - $3
GOLD BASIN, Arizona: (L4). Found 1995.
This is nothing special, just a typical representative cut fragment ( the back side is natural, but I don't see anything I would call crust). It has the usual surprisingly fresh interior with a fair amount o metal in a mixed gray and brown matrix.
5.6 gram end piece –26mm x 13mm x 8mm - $8
HENBURY, Australia; Medium octahedrite (IIIAB). Found 1931.
This is just a typical natural individual. I used to have a lot of this stuff (in fact, this probably came from me years ago), but I am now down to only a small hand full (the strength of the Australian dollar combined with the weakness of the US dollar has made the "wholesale" price of this material higher than what I normally sold it for so I have not picked up any new materail in years).
8.6 gram natural individual – 20mm x 15mm x 6mm - $10
HUCKITTA, Australia: (pallasite).
This is an end piece of the usual oxide material.
21.6 gram end piece – 35mm x 13mm x 17mm - $32
IMILAC, Chile: (Pallasite).
This is a particularly nice "shrapnel" fragment. It has a really wild shape with some yellow and almost pinkish olivine in the deepest pockets.
10.0 gram fragment – 20mm x 18mm x 10mm - $60
MONTURAQUI, Chile: Impactite.
This is one of the better cut pieces of this I have seen.
7.7 gram end piece – 33mm x 23mm x 6mm - $15
MUNDRABILLA, Australia: Medium octahedrite, ungrouped.
This is just a basic natural individual metal nugget. Nice, but typical for this meteorite.
20.3 gram individual – 25mm x 17mm x 10mm - $20
NWA (------): unclassified, likely (H5).
This is a nice end piece with a large cut face (about 70mm x 60mm) that has not been polished (I can do this if you like). There is also another "test cut" on the back (about 35mm x 25mm). Overall, this is a nice specimen and would make an ideal "pass around" educational specimen. The interior is quite fresh – showing lots of metal in a light tan matrix (reminds of Gao). The exterior is very smooth (highly wind-polished) and has in interesting pinkish brown color. This looks shockingly similar (internally and externally) to the Sahara (99427) listed below, but then this piece weighs as much as the total reported (according the hand scribbled notes that came with all of this anyway – that Sahara stone has not been officially reported – according to Meteorites A to Z).
351.1 gram end piece – 70mm x 60mm x 40mm - $150
NWA (----), Unclassified.
This is just a typical fragment of chondrite (no real idea what kind as it has no cut or polished suraces).
7.0 gram fragment – 15mm x 15mm x 14mm - $3
NWA (482): Lunar impact melt breccia. Found 2000. Tkw = 1015grams.
This is a small fragment in a capsule in a magnifier box. This is almost completely white (anorthosite) with only a few hints of shock darkening.
.027 gram fragment 2.5mm x 2mm x 2mm - $50
NWA (2932) (Mesosiderite). Found 2005. Tkw = 15+kg.
I really wish I bought more of this when the "big" batch came out (I am out of it myself). This is what a mesosiderite should look like. It has a nice mix of metal (including one 5mm or so nodule) and silicates.
22.5 gram end piece – 40mm x 20mm x 13mm - $135
PUTORANA, Russia: Terrestrial Fe/Ni in basalt.
This is still a mystery to me. This has Fe, Ni ands even troilite. It is a breccia (unlike any other iron in basalt that I am aware of). This is a nice highly polished specimen that has loads of iron. This is a nice as any mesosiderite. This is the only piece of this I have (I am COMPLETELY sold out in my inventory).
7.8 gram slice – 40mm x 6mm x 5mm - $11
SAHARA (99427): Not reported but likely (H5), Tkw = 351.1 grams.
Here is a slice of this, unfortunately, unreported stone. It is quite fresh and shows lots of metal in a tan to brown matrix (reminds me of Gao).
43.2 gram slice – 47mm x 38mm x 8mm - $45
SANTA VITORIA DO PALMAR, Brazil. (L3). Ound 2003/2004. Tkw = 50.36kg.
This is the one, despite its rather dark matrix and lack of metal, that is reproted to have likely fallen June 25, 1997. I quickly sold all I had when I had a good quantity of it a few years ago. This does show lots of chondrules of all sizes, though there are a bit hidden in the dark brown matrix.
17.2 gram slice – 50mm x 25mm x 4mm - $80
SARIR QATTUSAH (001), Libya: (L/LL3). Found 1994. Tkw = 796 grams.
This is actually a nice specimen. It is weathered ( it only shows a few bits of metal) but it has lots of chondrules of different colors. It kind of reminds me of Ragland or Wells.
1.9 gram slice – 14mm x 12mm x 5mm - $30
P.O. Box 1141
Delta, CO 81416
Ph/fax (970) 874-1487
..................................LIST 96
November 30, 2010
Dear Collectors,
I have been very busy with projects of various sorts and have not had time to put together any kind of list for the past month and a half. These items are actually from a box of consignments that was sent to me shortly after the Denver Show. I do hope to get on the ball and get inventory work started soon. That should bring out some special "only got a tiny bit left" offerings next month. Unfortunately though that on top of all of the other things I have been trying to accomplish I got notice yesterday that I need to prepare the "landing spot" for a trailer that will become my ultra-light's hanger. I have gotten tired of hanging myself trying to carefully get around all of the wires of the hang-glider wing taking up a substantial portion of my garage (I am beginning to think that the reason they call these wings "hang-gliders" is not because you hang underneath them while flying, but because you can't move around one that is completely or partially set up with out hanging yourself on a support wire or two). This was NOT a project I had planned on working on for the near term, but the trailer yard says it must be moved by the end of next week. I will have many hours of dirt moving and such to do now, so future lists (and the inventory work that will generate them) will likely be a bit delayed or oddly timed. I apologize for this.
ALLENDE, Mexico: Carbonaceous chondrite (CV3.2). Fell February 8, 1969.
This is a nice complete stone! It has a very high amount of crust coverage (something like 90% - only the usual chipped edges). What is interesting is that all o this crust shows lots of contraction cracks. This may be partly due to the act that I think that this may be a "later" recovery and some light colored dirt has settled into the cracks. However, this is not one of the really later recoveries, it is still very fresh (no rust, no lichen and such as found on some of the most recent recovered specimens). Another interesting feature is a crater where a 3mm chondrule popped out during the fall that is now fully crusted over.
8.8 gram crusted individual – 20mm x 17mm x 16mm - $90
BONITA SPRINGS, Florida: (H5). Found 1938. Tkw = 41.8 kg.
I am quite surprised at how fresh this is. I would think that any iron bearing meteorite found in Florida (or similar environment) would be deeply rust weathered. This is a nice light gray (there are some brown spots) color with lots of fresh metal.
3.0 gram slice – 18mm x 18mm x 3mm - $75
BRAHIN, Belarus: (pallasite). Found 1810. Tkw = 1000+kg.
This slice, of coarse, shows a fair amount of rusting, but it has not completely fallen apart (amazing considering it spent a long time in Florida). This does have some nice gemmy crystals though. One is really clear (only about 4mm x 4mm though) and could possibly be cut into a gem stone
5.7 gram slice – 27mm x 12mm x 5mm - $10
CANYON DIABLO, Arizona: rock flour.
This is a small container (approximately 20mm x 20mm x 15mm) that is a bit over half full of white powdered sandstone. This is some of the "rock flour" (highly shocked Coconino Sandstone) that was retrieved from the "mine" shaft in the bottom of the crater.
Approximately 18mm x 18mm x 10mm in box - $20
GHUBARA, Oman: (L5), black, xenolithic. Found 1954. Tkw = 250+kg.
2.5 gram slice – 15mm x 8mm x 6mm - $3
GOLD BASIN, Arizona: (L4). Found 1995.
This is nothing special, just a typical representative cut fragment ( the back side is natural, but I don't see anything I would call crust). It has the usual surprisingly fresh interior with a fair amount o metal in a mixed gray and brown matrix.
5.6 gram end piece –26mm x 13mm x 8mm - $8
HENBURY, Australia; Medium octahedrite (IIIAB). Found 1931.
This is just a typical natural individual. I used to have a lot of this stuff (in fact, this probably came from me years ago), but I am now down to only a small hand full (the strength of the Australian dollar combined with the weakness of the US dollar has made the "wholesale" price of this material higher than what I normally sold it for so I have not picked up any new materail in years).
8.6 gram natural individual – 20mm x 15mm x 6mm - $10
HUCKITTA, Australia: (pallasite).
This is an end piece of the usual oxide material.
21.6 gram end piece – 35mm x 13mm x 17mm - $32
IMILAC, Chile: (Pallasite).
This is a particularly nice "shrapnel" fragment. It has a really wild shape with some yellow and almost pinkish olivine in the deepest pockets.
10.0 gram fragment – 20mm x 18mm x 10mm - $60
MONTURAQUI, Chile: Impactite.
This is one of the better cut pieces of this I have seen.
7.7 gram end piece – 33mm x 23mm x 6mm - $15
MUNDRABILLA, Australia: Medium octahedrite, ungrouped.
This is just a basic natural individual metal nugget. Nice, but typical for this meteorite.
20.3 gram individual – 25mm x 17mm x 10mm - $20
NWA (------): unclassified, likely (H5).
This is a nice end piece with a large cut face (about 70mm x 60mm) that has not been polished (I can do this if you like). There is also another "test cut" on the back (about 35mm x 25mm). Overall, this is a nice specimen and would make an ideal "pass around" educational specimen. The interior is quite fresh – showing lots of metal in a light tan matrix (reminds of Gao). The exterior is very smooth (highly wind-polished) and has in interesting pinkish brown color. This looks shockingly similar (internally and externally) to the Sahara (99427) listed below, but then this piece weighs as much as the total reported (according the hand scribbled notes that came with all of this anyway – that Sahara stone has not been officially reported – according to Meteorites A to Z).
351.1 gram end piece – 70mm x 60mm x 40mm - $150
NWA (----), Unclassified.
This is just a typical fragment of chondrite (no real idea what kind as it has no cut or polished suraces).
7.0 gram fragment – 15mm x 15mm x 14mm - $3
NWA (482): Lunar impact melt breccia. Found 2000. Tkw = 1015grams.
This is a small fragment in a capsule in a magnifier box. This is almost completely white (anorthosite) with only a few hints of shock darkening.
.027 gram fragment 2.5mm x 2mm x 2mm - $50
NWA (2932) (Mesosiderite). Found 2005. Tkw = 15+kg.
I really wish I bought more of this when the "big" batch came out (I am out of it myself). This is what a mesosiderite should look like. It has a nice mix of metal (including one 5mm or so nodule) and silicates.
22.5 gram end piece – 40mm x 20mm x 13mm - $135
PUTORANA, Russia: Terrestrial Fe/Ni in basalt.
This is still a mystery to me. This has Fe, Ni ands even troilite. It is a breccia (unlike any other iron in basalt that I am aware of). This is a nice highly polished specimen that has loads of iron. This is a nice as any mesosiderite. This is the only piece of this I have (I am COMPLETELY sold out in my inventory).
7.8 gram slice – 40mm x 6mm x 5mm - $11
SAHARA (99427): Not reported but likely (H5), Tkw = 351.1 grams.
Here is a slice of this, unfortunately, unreported stone. It is quite fresh and shows lots of metal in a tan to brown matrix (reminds me of Gao).
43.2 gram slice – 47mm x 38mm x 8mm - $45
SANTA VITORIA DO PALMAR, Brazil. (L3). Ound 2003/2004. Tkw = 50.36kg.
This is the one, despite its rather dark matrix and lack of metal, that is reproted to have likely fallen June 25, 1997. I quickly sold all I had when I had a good quantity of it a few years ago. This does show lots of chondrules of all sizes, though there are a bit hidden in the dark brown matrix.
17.2 gram slice – 50mm x 25mm x 4mm - $80
SARIR QATTUSAH (001), Libya: (L/LL3). Found 1994. Tkw = 796 grams.
This is actually a nice specimen. It is weathered ( it only shows a few bits of metal) but it has lots of chondrules of different colors. It kind of reminds me of Ragland or Wells.
1.9 gram slice – 14mm x 12mm x 5mm - $30
Saturday, 16 October 2010
Blaine Reed Meteorites List 95, mailed list posting Saturday, October 16, 2010 4:21 AM
List 95, mailed list posting Saturday, October 16, 2010 4:21 AM
Blaine Reed
P.O. Box 1141
Delta, CO 81416
Ph/fax (970) 874-1487
..LIST 95
October 15, 2010
Dear Collectors,
Here is an electronic copy of my just mailed paper list. That should have been in the hands of every body on the mailing list by now, but I have only gotten calls from overseas and Hawaii (I send those out earlier in an attempt to have everyone everywhere get the thing at the same time). Something got goofed up this time. Probably delays and such from the holiday Monday (Columbus Day) that I had completely forgotten about. I decided to go ahead and send this out now (usually I wait until I start getting calls from a wide selection of regions) so that collectors in the main parts of the US will have a shot at some of this (I have already sold my 2 largest Gebel Kamil individuals and the smallest NWA (5782) complete slice). Many of you are on both the paper mailing list and this e-mailing one so I guess there is only a bit of "unfairness" in doing this now.
I finally pulled together this list from stuff I have had and stuff I picked up at the Denver show a couple weeks ago. I have been very busy with many things (some good some bad, unfortunately) so this is going out a bit later than I would have liked. This also means that the typical time frame that I usually see orders come in from one of these mailings will overlap with a couple out of town trips I have to make (leave a message if you do find you want to place an order during these dates, I will set aside samples for you and get back in touch with you when I get home). These are:
Denver: October 21st - 25th.: Not meteorite related, but if any of you in Denver really want me to bring some samples to look over, let me know.
Socorro, New Mexico Mineral Symposium. November 11th - 17th. This "show" I have been attending longer than any other. I think the first time I went was in 1985 (first set up and offered samples in 1986). This year the "informal tail-gating" (specimen sales) will be at the new Comfort Inn at the very North end of town (1259 Frontage Rd NW - West side of the interstate). I am supposed to be in room 119. I should be set up and open by about 5PM on Friday Nov 12th and open again about 6PM Saturday (generally open until 12 each night - this is a drink in hand, wander and look at specimens kind of thing - very relaxed and enjoyable). I will also likely be open much of Sunday as well - not putting things away until around 5PM or so that day.
GEBEL KAMIL, Egypt: Ni-rich ataxite (ungrouped). Found 2008. Tkw = about 1600kg.
A 45meter (148ft) diameter crater was discovered on Google Earth satellite photos in 2008. Field expeditions in February of 2010 confirmed that it was indeed a meteorite impact crater. Many shrapnel type fragments of Ni-rich (close to 20% nickel!) iron meteorites were found surrounding the crater. It is currently estimated that this fall occurred less than 5000 years ago. When I first saw some of this stuff (at the Denver spring show in April) I was quite suspicious. The external texture looked VERY much like how man-made materials weather (but then an iron of fairly uniform composition in a sand-blasting type environment probably should end up looking the same). But, the slices (that are obviously cut from shrapnel type fragments), clearly show schriebersite and other meteoritic minerals (and I now have some scientific reports on the stuff - something I did not have at all then). I have both nice complete shrapnel fragments (the large ones are really neat) and some really nice super thin slices that are etched (some on one side with the other side highly polished and some etched on both sides).
1) Complete shrapnel fragments as found:
a) 52.7 grams - 45mm x 30mm x 10mm - $70
b) 92.4 grams - 55mm x 30mm x 15mm - $115
c) 211.4 grams - 58mm x 40mm x 22mm - $250
d) 339.0 grams - 65mm x 60mm x 23mm - $390
e) 595.8 grams - 105mm x 65mm x 23mm - $640 - yes, this is available. It was a replacement for the 691g piece on the mailed list.
f) 908.1 grams - 120mm x 80mm x 30mm - sold
2) Complete slices, etched:
a) 26.5 grams - 70mm x 40mm x 1.5mm - $80
b) 39.5 grams - 80mm x 60mm x 1mm - $118
c) 57.5 grams - 90mm x 60mm x 1.5mm - $170
BENSOUR, Morocco/ Algeria: (LL6). Fell February 11, 2002. Tkw = 45+kg.
This is one of those "rumor of a fall" while we are at major shows (these are surprisingly common) that later turned out to be true (actual falls during or near Tucson and Denver show dates were the subject of this year's Tucson wine glass I made). I sold the last of this I had (at $7 to $8/g) some time ago and have not seen much of this meteorite since (aside from the bag of really small fragments I had earlier this summer that is). Luckily I picked up a nice bag of fresh material. These are the usual broken fragments that show a light gray, fine textured interior (and the occasional metal or troilite grain) with large patches of fresh black crust (covering roughly 30% or more of most of these pieces). Nice, affordable, pieces of an LL fall!
1) Fragments with crust as found:
a) 1.0 grams - 9mm x 8mm x 7mm - $7
b) 2.1 grams - 12mm x 11mm x 6mm - $14
c) 3.0 grams - 22mm x 8mm x 7mm - $20
d) 5.9 grams - 18mm x 17mm x 11mm - $38
e) 12.8 grams - 25mm x 18mm x 15mm - $80
NWA (5778): (H4). Found before September 2008. Tkw = 1560 grams.
This is yet another "thought it was something better" when I got it stones. The seller thought it was an H3 and, given the large number of chondrules it showed on the cut surface it had, it looked like one to me as well. Alas, it turned out to be an H4 (the science on this one is irrefutable - equilibrated olivine = type 4 or higher). This is quite weathered (no real visible), but yet it still has a pleasing light almost pinkish brown color with lots of chondrules clearly visible (many H's get so dark when oxidized that the chondrules get hidden - Dimmitt, TX is one example).
1) Slices:
a) 11.7 grams - 47mm x 22mm x 2mm - $10
b) 22.1 grams - 60mm x 30mm x 5mm - $18
c) 44.0 grams - 72mm x 45mm x 5mm - $35 - complete slice.
d) 71.1 grams - 103mm x 44mm x 6mm - $55 - complete slice.
2) End piece:
a) 336.9 grams - 100mm x 43mm x 45mm - $235 - Main Mass!
NWA (5779): (LL5), polymict breccia: Found before October 2008. Tkw = 815 grams.
This is a stone I wish I had much more of. I asked the source for more of this but was told "there is none", darn it. This is a fantastic LL breccia that has a light tan/ brown matrix and lots of angular to rounded fragments that are generally different shades of brown and gray to some that are weird swirled mixes of both (those are impact melt clasts, most likely). These fragments are of different compositions than the host rock - making this a "polymict" breccia. This does still show metal grains and troilite in proper amount for the type stone this is, so it is not weathered to any great degree either. A real interesting stone scientifically and great visually.
1) Slices:
a) 6.9 grams - 30mm x 20mm x 5mm - $30
b) 16.0 grams - 45mm x 30mm x 4mm - $68
c) 24.6 grams - 70mm x 50mm x 3mm - $105
d) 56.3 grams - 90mm x 65mm x 4mm - $225 - complete slice.
NWA (5782): Acapulcoite/Lodranite. Found Before September 2008. Tkw = 130 grams.
This was special enough to get special treatment in its reporting. I did not know that this one was "finished" until I saw a picture of it in the most recent Meteoritical Bulletin (a picture Blake took that the bulletin miss-labeled as having an inch scale for size when it was really centimeters). This is a breccia containing fragments of both acapulcoites of various compositions (making up 45% of this stone) and lodranites (also of variuos compositions and making up 25% of this stone) with a matrix composed of fine debris of both types. This is the only such thing known in the world. It has been called the "Rosetta Stone" of the acapulcoite/lodranite parent body. It is too bad that so little was recovered (and even that was by accident in a batch of L6 stones I picked up some time ago). After I got done sending pieces of all sizes all over for research work (that is still continuing on this thing for clues about its parent body) I was left with only about 41 grams to offer to collectors.
1) Slices:
a) .13 grams - 9mm x 5mm x 1mm - $50
b) .26 grams - 12mm x 6mm x 1mm - $100
c) .52 grams - 17mm x 9mm x 1mm - $200
d) .86 grams - 17mm x 15mm x 1mm - $325
e) 1.50 grams - 24mm x 21mm x 1mm - sold.
f) 2.93 grams - 33mm x 26mm x 1mm - $1070 - complete slice.
g) 4.98 grams - 37mm x 31mm x 1mm - $1800 - complete slice.
IRIDIUM: The element
Iridium is a very important to meteorite impact research element. Iridium is one of the very rarest metals in the Earth's crust (making up less than .001 parts per million on average). In meteorites, however, it is "relatively common" - making up around .5 parts per million. Large impacts bring a large dose of this element to the Earth's surface. This is then deposited into accumulating sediments in the area (smaller impacts) to all over the globe (as in the Chicxulub impact). Thus, an increased Iridium content in a rock layer tends to indicate that a large impact may have occurred at that time. These are fine crystals (maybe mm sized) that were vapor deposited during the process of making crystals for high power lasers. I have these in a capsule in a magnifier box in various sized lots (I, as an element collector would prefer a "mole" sized lot - but that is some 192 grams!).
1) Crystals in a capsule in a magnifier box:
a) .10grams - $10
b) .25grams - $15
c) .50 grams - $25
d) 1.0 grams - $40
LIGHTED LOUPE:
This is what most of us know as a hand lens. I bought one of these a year or so ago (for $20) and have used it almost exclusively ever since. These are 20X magnification and have a fairly large lens area (about 19mm diameter) and have a couple really bright L.E.D.s built into them to light what you are looking at - $15 each.
Please include postage: a couple dollars on small U.S. orders and $10 on large items for first class (insurance is extra, if desired). On small overseas orders, $3 to $5 is generally plenty (I'll have to custom figure the rate for large items). Registration is also recommended on more valuable overseas shipments - an extra $12.00.
If you are sending a fax, simply begin transmitting when my line is answered. My fax will turn on automatically to receive (or I will start it if I answer) when you begin transmitting.
Blaine Reed
P.O. Box 1141
Delta, CO 81416
Ph/fax (970) 874-1487
..LIST 95
October 15, 2010
Dear Collectors,
Here is an electronic copy of my just mailed paper list. That should have been in the hands of every body on the mailing list by now, but I have only gotten calls from overseas and Hawaii (I send those out earlier in an attempt to have everyone everywhere get the thing at the same time). Something got goofed up this time. Probably delays and such from the holiday Monday (Columbus Day) that I had completely forgotten about. I decided to go ahead and send this out now (usually I wait until I start getting calls from a wide selection of regions) so that collectors in the main parts of the US will have a shot at some of this (I have already sold my 2 largest Gebel Kamil individuals and the smallest NWA (5782) complete slice). Many of you are on both the paper mailing list and this e-mailing one so I guess there is only a bit of "unfairness" in doing this now.
I finally pulled together this list from stuff I have had and stuff I picked up at the Denver show a couple weeks ago. I have been very busy with many things (some good some bad, unfortunately) so this is going out a bit later than I would have liked. This also means that the typical time frame that I usually see orders come in from one of these mailings will overlap with a couple out of town trips I have to make (leave a message if you do find you want to place an order during these dates, I will set aside samples for you and get back in touch with you when I get home). These are:
Denver: October 21st - 25th.: Not meteorite related, but if any of you in Denver really want me to bring some samples to look over, let me know.
Socorro, New Mexico Mineral Symposium. November 11th - 17th. This "show" I have been attending longer than any other. I think the first time I went was in 1985 (first set up and offered samples in 1986). This year the "informal tail-gating" (specimen sales) will be at the new Comfort Inn at the very North end of town (1259 Frontage Rd NW - West side of the interstate). I am supposed to be in room 119. I should be set up and open by about 5PM on Friday Nov 12th and open again about 6PM Saturday (generally open until 12 each night - this is a drink in hand, wander and look at specimens kind of thing - very relaxed and enjoyable). I will also likely be open much of Sunday as well - not putting things away until around 5PM or so that day.
GEBEL KAMIL, Egypt: Ni-rich ataxite (ungrouped). Found 2008. Tkw = about 1600kg.
A 45meter (148ft) diameter crater was discovered on Google Earth satellite photos in 2008. Field expeditions in February of 2010 confirmed that it was indeed a meteorite impact crater. Many shrapnel type fragments of Ni-rich (close to 20% nickel!) iron meteorites were found surrounding the crater. It is currently estimated that this fall occurred less than 5000 years ago. When I first saw some of this stuff (at the Denver spring show in April) I was quite suspicious. The external texture looked VERY much like how man-made materials weather (but then an iron of fairly uniform composition in a sand-blasting type environment probably should end up looking the same). But, the slices (that are obviously cut from shrapnel type fragments), clearly show schriebersite and other meteoritic minerals (and I now have some scientific reports on the stuff - something I did not have at all then). I have both nice complete shrapnel fragments (the large ones are really neat) and some really nice super thin slices that are etched (some on one side with the other side highly polished and some etched on both sides).
1) Complete shrapnel fragments as found:
a) 52.7 grams - 45mm x 30mm x 10mm - $70
b) 92.4 grams - 55mm x 30mm x 15mm - $115
c) 211.4 grams - 58mm x 40mm x 22mm - $250
d) 339.0 grams - 65mm x 60mm x 23mm - $390
e) 595.8 grams - 105mm x 65mm x 23mm - $640 - yes, this is available. It was a replacement for the 691g piece on the mailed list.
f) 908.1 grams - 120mm x 80mm x 30mm - sold
2) Complete slices, etched:
a) 26.5 grams - 70mm x 40mm x 1.5mm - $80
b) 39.5 grams - 80mm x 60mm x 1mm - $118
c) 57.5 grams - 90mm x 60mm x 1.5mm - $170
BENSOUR, Morocco/ Algeria: (LL6). Fell February 11, 2002. Tkw = 45+kg.
This is one of those "rumor of a fall" while we are at major shows (these are surprisingly common) that later turned out to be true (actual falls during or near Tucson and Denver show dates were the subject of this year's Tucson wine glass I made). I sold the last of this I had (at $7 to $8/g) some time ago and have not seen much of this meteorite since (aside from the bag of really small fragments I had earlier this summer that is). Luckily I picked up a nice bag of fresh material. These are the usual broken fragments that show a light gray, fine textured interior (and the occasional metal or troilite grain) with large patches of fresh black crust (covering roughly 30% or more of most of these pieces). Nice, affordable, pieces of an LL fall!
1) Fragments with crust as found:
a) 1.0 grams - 9mm x 8mm x 7mm - $7
b) 2.1 grams - 12mm x 11mm x 6mm - $14
c) 3.0 grams - 22mm x 8mm x 7mm - $20
d) 5.9 grams - 18mm x 17mm x 11mm - $38
e) 12.8 grams - 25mm x 18mm x 15mm - $80
NWA (5778): (H4). Found before September 2008. Tkw = 1560 grams.
This is yet another "thought it was something better" when I got it stones. The seller thought it was an H3 and, given the large number of chondrules it showed on the cut surface it had, it looked like one to me as well. Alas, it turned out to be an H4 (the science on this one is irrefutable - equilibrated olivine = type 4 or higher). This is quite weathered (no real visible), but yet it still has a pleasing light almost pinkish brown color with lots of chondrules clearly visible (many H's get so dark when oxidized that the chondrules get hidden - Dimmitt, TX is one example).
1) Slices:
a) 11.7 grams - 47mm x 22mm x 2mm - $10
b) 22.1 grams - 60mm x 30mm x 5mm - $18
c) 44.0 grams - 72mm x 45mm x 5mm - $35 - complete slice.
d) 71.1 grams - 103mm x 44mm x 6mm - $55 - complete slice.
2) End piece:
a) 336.9 grams - 100mm x 43mm x 45mm - $235 - Main Mass!
NWA (5779): (LL5), polymict breccia: Found before October 2008. Tkw = 815 grams.
This is a stone I wish I had much more of. I asked the source for more of this but was told "there is none", darn it. This is a fantastic LL breccia that has a light tan/ brown matrix and lots of angular to rounded fragments that are generally different shades of brown and gray to some that are weird swirled mixes of both (those are impact melt clasts, most likely). These fragments are of different compositions than the host rock - making this a "polymict" breccia. This does still show metal grains and troilite in proper amount for the type stone this is, so it is not weathered to any great degree either. A real interesting stone scientifically and great visually.
1) Slices:
a) 6.9 grams - 30mm x 20mm x 5mm - $30
b) 16.0 grams - 45mm x 30mm x 4mm - $68
c) 24.6 grams - 70mm x 50mm x 3mm - $105
d) 56.3 grams - 90mm x 65mm x 4mm - $225 - complete slice.
NWA (5782): Acapulcoite/Lodranite. Found Before September 2008. Tkw = 130 grams.
This was special enough to get special treatment in its reporting. I did not know that this one was "finished" until I saw a picture of it in the most recent Meteoritical Bulletin (a picture Blake took that the bulletin miss-labeled as having an inch scale for size when it was really centimeters). This is a breccia containing fragments of both acapulcoites of various compositions (making up 45% of this stone) and lodranites (also of variuos compositions and making up 25% of this stone) with a matrix composed of fine debris of both types. This is the only such thing known in the world. It has been called the "Rosetta Stone" of the acapulcoite/lodranite parent body. It is too bad that so little was recovered (and even that was by accident in a batch of L6 stones I picked up some time ago). After I got done sending pieces of all sizes all over for research work (that is still continuing on this thing for clues about its parent body) I was left with only about 41 grams to offer to collectors.
1) Slices:
a) .13 grams - 9mm x 5mm x 1mm - $50
b) .26 grams - 12mm x 6mm x 1mm - $100
c) .52 grams - 17mm x 9mm x 1mm - $200
d) .86 grams - 17mm x 15mm x 1mm - $325
e) 1.50 grams - 24mm x 21mm x 1mm - sold.
f) 2.93 grams - 33mm x 26mm x 1mm - $1070 - complete slice.
g) 4.98 grams - 37mm x 31mm x 1mm - $1800 - complete slice.
IRIDIUM: The element
Iridium is a very important to meteorite impact research element. Iridium is one of the very rarest metals in the Earth's crust (making up less than .001 parts per million on average). In meteorites, however, it is "relatively common" - making up around .5 parts per million. Large impacts bring a large dose of this element to the Earth's surface. This is then deposited into accumulating sediments in the area (smaller impacts) to all over the globe (as in the Chicxulub impact). Thus, an increased Iridium content in a rock layer tends to indicate that a large impact may have occurred at that time. These are fine crystals (maybe mm sized) that were vapor deposited during the process of making crystals for high power lasers. I have these in a capsule in a magnifier box in various sized lots (I, as an element collector would prefer a "mole" sized lot - but that is some 192 grams!).
1) Crystals in a capsule in a magnifier box:
a) .10grams - $10
b) .25grams - $15
c) .50 grams - $25
d) 1.0 grams - $40
LIGHTED LOUPE:
This is what most of us know as a hand lens. I bought one of these a year or so ago (for $20) and have used it almost exclusively ever since. These are 20X magnification and have a fairly large lens area (about 19mm diameter) and have a couple really bright L.E.D.s built into them to light what you are looking at - $15 each.
Please include postage: a couple dollars on small U.S. orders and $10 on large items for first class (insurance is extra, if desired). On small overseas orders, $3 to $5 is generally plenty (I'll have to custom figure the rate for large items). Registration is also recommended on more valuable overseas shipments - an extra $12.00.
If you are sending a fax, simply begin transmitting when my line is answered. My fax will turn on automatically to receive (or I will start it if I answer) when you begin transmitting.
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