Re: [Ancientartifacts] Question about possible buyer.

Hello
 
There ARE methods of dating artefacts which are quite expensive.  Radiocarbon (C14) dating and thermoluminescence (TL) testing are the two that come to mind.  You would be likely to pay several hundred dollars for either of these.
 
To be sure whether you are being scammed or not we would need to know more about the artefact, exactly what testing is being requested, and who is to perform the tests. 
 
C14 testing is only appropriate to organic materials and TL is only useful for ceramics.  Also the validity of any testing depends on a number of factors including who takes the test samples, how they are taken and the lab which is performing the test.  Either of these tests if performed by a skilled operator on appropriate nmaterials should be good to determine whether an item is ancient or not, but actual dating can be wildly inaccurate. 
 
I understand the scenario here to be that you have sold an ancient artefact to a buyer, the buyer is unhappy about its authenticity and wants to have it tested?  If that is the case then the normal procedure would be that the buyer arranges and pays for the testing.  If the test proves the article fake, the best dealers would refund the purchase price and pay for the test.  For obvious reasons, the kind of dealer that provides such quality of service does not sell cheap!  If you are a private seller, it would depend on the circumstances of the sale, in particular how the item was described, and possibly the price paid for it.
 
If the buyer wants tests done before he purchases the item, then clearly the cost of testing would be reflected in the sale price of the artefact.
 
Under any circumstances do not rely on any certification performed by ORENDA LABORATORIES of Santa Fe, NM.  This 'lab' only exists in the imagination of / on the kitchen table of Ron Barlow, currently trading on eBay as 'ashoura_traders' but more widely known as 'axismundi.com'.  The 'lab' issues phoney COA's for phoney antiquities sold by the above named dealer and does not utilise any recognised scientific techniques, despite the claims of their reports!  Note that the 'lab' has no website, email address or physical address!
 
At the end of the day, an expert opinion is probably the best way to determine the authenticity of an artefact.  Can you post pictures of the artefact here?  Can you persuade your buyer to join the group and ask for an opinion?  Is there a museum that you can both agree on to provide an expert opinion?  I have never known museums charge for authentication services, though often they are reluctant to put their opinions in writing.
 
Whatever the circumstances, do not mail money to the buyer for him to have a test done!  If he wants testing, and he has bought the item then it is his own responsibility to fund tests and then to come to you with the results.
 
Tim
 
 
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2008 8:03 AM
Subject: [Ancientartifacts] Question about possible buyer.

Hello, this would be my first post here.
I wanted to ask if it is a scam if a buyer tells you that they want
you to mail a large amount of money to just verify an artifact of
yours. Or they say that it costs a lot of money to have it verified by
a "special machine."
I'd appreciate any comments.
Thank you.


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