Auctions by "4539gabriel"

"unclassified meteorite mohave dessert"



This seller has has not responded to requests for better photos and/or the reasons for his/her belief that these are authentic meteorites. "Feedback as a seller" confirms past problems with communication reported by 4 out of 23 registered buyers. Meteorite sales are trust based; the seller's lack of response and poor photos thus far are reasons for caution in my opinion.

9/14/09 UPDATE - SELLER'S RESPONSE:"because i belong to a gem club and all the experts that have been doing this for over 50 yrs agree best photo i have sold meteroites on ebay before and my rating is 100% thank you magellon.best picture i can give right now."

I'm glad the seller responded but still no decent photo. The seller does have 100% for the past year only. (If one looks at all his "Feedback as a Seller", one may see things from a different view.) This being a money for (suspect) meteorite transaction, I would not put blind confidence in the word or experience of 'experts' unknown without some basic proof that this was a meteorite any more than the seller would be willing to send the item to a bidder without payment.

The seller also charges $15.00 shipping and calls it "Standard Flat Rate Shipping Service."


Note for newbies: your printer/scanner can make a great photo of your rock if you scan it! (cover it with a white pillow case)

Caveat Emptor!:
(1) eBay has been flooded with suspect* meteorites from the following Chinese Mineral Dealers (Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, etc.), listed in the four groups below. This is a serious problem for unsuspecting collectors. These shady dealers are consistent in that (a) their stones are suspect*, (b) bidders identities are concealed (so they can't be warned). But, you can help warn your friends about purchasing from these shameless Chinese Mineral Dealers ! Why all the fakes? Perhaps these auctions are continuing indications that China has been aggressively enforcing its meteorite ban the past few years??

(2) Contrary to what you see advertised on eBay, Tektites (terrestrial glass resulting from meteorite impact), Moldavites, Fulgurites ARE NOT Meteorites (natural objects of extraterrestrial origin (meteoroid) that survive passage through the atmosphere and hit the ground) NOR are they lunar material. Moldavite is one of the more faked items on eBay. It has always been green, but the rich 'Bottle' green ('apple' green) moldavite is newly offered and is reportedly manufactured. More Moldavite Info!

(3) Nantan/Nandan is an iron meteorite that is known for is ability to rust away to nothing, a fact that many sellers of this meteorite fail to mention. Nantan is truely a meteorite to stay away from unless you are willing to accept that the overwhelming majority of specimens will fall apart over a very short period of time. Ones that do not rust are probably shale and have NO meteoritic iron left. The huge number of meteorwrongs presented as Nantans is another reason to stay away.more info

(4) Meteoritic Shale/Oxide: Avoid auctions selling oxidized or shale 'meteorites' (Canyon Diablo oxide shale is common). Some sellers may describe the item as shale/oxide and others may not. Meteoritic shale/oxide is no longer a meteorite, it is terrestrially oxidized meteoritic nickel-iron or oxidite. It no longer contains the essential cosmic character of the meteorite. Shale items may be included in the following iron auctions: Canyon Diablo, Nantan, Odessa, Wolfe Creek ... for more info

NOTE: Scammed? Have you have exhausted attempts with the seller, eBay, and Paypal? If 'yes' and your seller shipped via US Postal Service, try this.