Telescope Reviews: The Amazing World of Fusion Crust

Martin, I have to say I look at your posts in a different light. Perhaps you meant them to be taken in one particular manner,but I have taken it in another light.

It seems as if you have tried to cast a dubious shadow on the hobby of meteorite collecting.This is cast on Both the Dealers as well as their products.

I for one can openly say that your post stating many pieces sold as NWA 869 are not actually NWA 869. But lets start with first things first.

Many,if not most meteorites come from one "main mass" or "parent body".The pieces cut from these "main mass" pieces are the same as the piece that was cut for classification and identification. So meteorite pieces that are sold from a find that consisted of one or two 200 + gram pieces, are completely 100% Genuine and Authentic(Unless sold by an individual who is purposely engaged in dis-honest business practices).

I can be sure that ALL of my Specimens are Genuine and as stated. More then 90% of my collection has come from The Hupe collection(which is one of the largest and most well respected and known for the "average" collector)(average meaning those of us who do not have thousands of dollars to spend on single specimens)Another 5% of my Collection has come from members in Good Standing of the IMCA. And the final amount of my collection has come from our resident Meteorite Dealer Mike Gilmer(Glassthrower) a member in good standing of the MS.

Very few of my specimens are from falls that contained several pieces(such as NWA 869).So I can be Assured that my collection contains actual meteorites from the Specimens they are claimed to be from.

So we can all be assured that pieces sold from a single meteorite are authentic. But in regards to specimens from Meteorites that have several "parent bodies" or NO Single "Main Mass" Specimen, I have this to show: No Where On This Specimen Card, Nor Any Where In The Listing Placed For This Individual Piece Of NWA 869, Is It Stated That There Is A Chance That It May Not Be A Piece Of 869,Or Possibly A Terrestrial Rock. 869

So I Seriously DO NOT Believe the Hupe's would sell a piece that they were not 100% sure of. I also do not believe the IMCA Would Allow Such Practices From ANY Of Its Members without revoking their membership or at the very least repramanding them for their business practices.

I am sending a copy of your posts to both the Hupes and the IMCA.I think it is only fair to allow both sides to have a chance to make their cases.

It is sad that what you have posted has scared and alarmed many average Collectors and those who have thought of collecting.

So in the end,Martin. You have taken a somewhat new hobby, that was growing at a tremendous rate, and cast a shadow upon it, that may stunt its growth and scare away new collectors.

I am not saying that you are being dishonest or trying to do anything damaging on purpose. I am merely pointing out how I have taken your post and what facts I do not agree with.

You have every right to express your beliefs and opinions. However these opinions can not be classified as facts without going through a long and arduious process that will also include information and posts of opinions from all sides involved.

So we will see where this series of opinions takes us.

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Todd C.

Celestron NexStar 4SE(102mm F/13)Maksutov-Cass
Meade ETX-80AT(80mm F/5)Achro Refractor
Meade ETX-60BB(6