METEORITE MARKET TRENDS
July, 2008
by Michael Blood
The many directions from which people come to be interested in meteorites.....
Recently a discussion came up with a semi-rant against the terrible belief in Astrology. Ignoring for a moment
that Astrology is, in fact, the basis from which arose Astronomy, just what's wrong with astrology? Well, we
could go into lost info, but, ironically, most protest against the belief that astronomical configurations could
"influence" people and their lives - which, of course, ignores the entire field of "synchronicity" - a significant
departure from the perception of "cause and effect" being THE basis of everything (see Jung - some might
benefit from looking into synchronicity, by the way).
However, I digress. Yes, indeed, people come to meteorites from a WIDE variety of perspectives. (Remember
my recent rant about people "finding""meteorites" and trying to sell them to me? - I have one that tops the
charts.... I kid you not, a guy contacted me and said he had found a small fossil horse with a single horn in its
forehead...... Well, of course, he had found a unicorn, and what could I sell it for for him? Now we could have
a contest about what glib response I gave....I told him I could sell it for as much as I could sell a fossil alien,
being as how they were BOTH A MYTH. Haven't heard from him since.
But I digress yet again! Now, back to the "wide" variety of perspectives that bring people to meteorites.....
Well, the TRADITIONAL, and apparently the most popular ("most" being more than any other "reason" - not
necessarily being more than half of all motivational factors). It seams everywhere I turn, meteorite collectors are
mentioning other astronomical phenomenon, usually in the present tense - or about to occur in the near future.
Of course I could be wrong, but my guess would be ABOUT 40% of all collectors of meteorites are also
astronomy buffs and were so before they began their journey into the realm of meteorites.
So, what about the rest of us? Well, many are geology oriented - most often originally collecting mineral specimens.
(as for myself, while I had some interest in minerals - that's why I visited the Tucson Show since the 70s - I never
did "collect" mineral specimens.... oh, ya, I bought and treasured a few classic amethyst geodes and "cathedrals" -
still have them, as well as some very cool quartz Xls, fossils, etc, I still never did see myself as a "mineral collector."
For many, Meteorites are the end result of their mineral collecting and has taken over all other specimens in terms
of collecting - others still continue said mineral collecting..... as well as fossils.
Together, these two backgrounds tend to make up more than half of the people who eventually become meteorite
addicts. So, what about the rest of us? Well, they come from here and there. Yes, there is the hookie zookie
contingent of "New Age" collectors who collect for the "energy" of meteorites - though tektites appear to actually
have a stronger Zap - just ask any Tibetan Monk. Then there are the very few ultra rich who collect one or a few
VERY zappy specimens - the Doctor or Dentist or Lawyer who has a huge iron in his office, or one not so huge
on his desk either because he just wanted an excuse/tax write off to indulge his inner urge to own something so
"far out," but not the emotional latitude to allow him to "indulge" such a desire to the level of actually "collecting."
Then there are kids. Kids are great because they are SO blown away AND because they don't tend to have the
capacity to manifest an obsession prior to puberty, so, they are just totally stoked by one specimen that is "out of
this world."
So, who else? They come from here and there. I would be hard pressed to "explain" my own obsession - but it
closely relates to the kid I mentioned above.... but of course, I have gone through puberty and have the money
to spend and so I DO. It is like that guy they ask, "Why do you do XXX?" and he responds, "Because I can."
How about you?
(Yes, I know this didn't "have anything at all to do with the Meteorite Market" (except, it does, of course...
just not directly) - but wasn't it interesting?)
OK, OK, so let's talk about the meteorite market:
Prices are going UP. More Europeans than ever are buying from US dealers. Prices on everything seem to be going
up.... and maybe its because of what I BUY most, I am acutely aware that Hammers in particular are going up (It
did not help at all that the Zenhua meteorite owner decided not to sell ANY frags and wants over $300,000 for the
fall. At that rate, he'll have it a while - add to that "the forbidden meteorite" and the outrageous prices from Peru
and you have 3 of the most recent falls - all Hammers, costing a small fortune. But it isn't just that - I can't BUY
material at a decent price. Other than a very few - like Gao is the only one I can think of, Hammers are going up
monthly! However, Hammers are not the only materials going up: I saw Seymchan (PAL) offered for about $30/g
just today. (See previous METEORITE MARKET TRENDS for info on Seymchan Pal. rarity & prices). Of
course, part of the movement upward is due to increasing numbers of European sales. The Euro has increased
nearly 80% relative to the US dollar, making US meteorite sales very attractive to Europeans. An additional
factor to the drying up of NWA material is a relatively dramatic increase in the number of new collectors. It
seams as thogh every second or third sale I make is to a new collector.
So, that's it for this month, folks - like oil, meteorites are currently going through the roof. I predicted a dramatic
increase in meteorites would take place as the NWA material began to dry up - but even I didn't foresee prices
skyrocketing this quickly. I am as blown away as you. And let's talk turkey about the misconception that dealers
LIKE high prices.... while I can't speak for others, why would I like high prices? It costs me more for material to
offer AND for material to ad to my own collection - just like you. However, like gas... if I don't fill up the motor
home gas tank when gas is $4.50/gal. it is likely to be $5.50 two weeks from now!
With meteorites it is not just that the prices are going up - many of the prices are skyrocketing (like Seymchan)
because the limit of available material has become exhausted - which means, if you don't get it now, (except, of
course, in the rare instance when someone is selling off their collection) you will never be able to get it at any
price.
Until next time, HAPPY HUNTING! Michael
