Note: Anyone can make a claim that they have found or own an authentic meteorite. It is entirely another matter to offer satisfactory proof of verification or classification from a Meteoritical Society approved institution. The photos below link to suspect meteorites. In the opinion of this author, these auctions may lack either proper verification, credible history or photo, or reasonable supposition to qualify. This does not mean that they are not meteorites, only 'suspect' in the opinion of this author.

eBay seller 'kingjamesvi'

Question about Auction # 250175223454

10/12/07
To kingjamesvi:

...If I may ask, how can you be certain that the specimens you offer are meteoritic? (what specific tests have you performed or who verified it?) Are they strongly attracted to a magnet? I am not contacting you to criticize but to assist/inform/understand....

10/12/07
response:

Hello Ken, well all specimens show the Widmanstatten crystal pattern when treated with nitric acid. Their all extremly heavy and non magnetic. (High Ni Content) Hope this is enough info for you. Thanks for inquiring. Jonathan

10/12/07
To kingjamesvi:

Jonathan,
If they are non magnetic, then they are NOT meteorites. Nickel cannot be present without iron in meteorites. Non magnetic = non meteoritic!
What you have is probably FERROMANGANESE.

http://meteorites.pdx.edu/wrong2.htm

Note: Jonathan James (kingjamesvi) not only did not reply or correct his auctions, but he began inserting false self classifications (IVA fine, IIIA MF, IIA COARSE, H4, H5). See below:

'meteorite' from kingjamesvi eBay auction

"* NICKEL-IRON METEORITES PROJECTILES * MOHAVE IVA FINE THESE ARE THE REMENANTS AFTER MAIN BODY METEOR BROKE UP BEFORE OR ON IMPACT. THEY'RE LITTLE BULLET PROJECTILES. MORE TAENITE THAN KAMACITE OR MORE NICKEL THAN IRON. MEDIUM WEAK MAGTICITY.... THEIR ALL FROM THE SAME (MOHAVE DESERT FAMILY) MD92 AND IMPACT AREA. KEEP WATCH FOR OTHER ITEMS COMING SOON FROM SAME IMPACT AREA. ( STONEY'S AND STONY/IRON'S )."

(click on photo to enlarge)

Observations on the above specimen (11/05/07):

  • metallic.
  • not fusion crust, rough texture.
  • very, very slight magnetic attraction. (nickel-iron has very strong attraction)

In my opinion, this is definitely not a meteorite but ferromanganese slag as I initially suggested. However, I will have this professionally tested and will publish the results here. The seller appears to be very unfamiliar with meteorites and meteorite identification.
Slag is a very common 'wrong' because it is used on train and road beds.






 


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