I know that I promised I would not be posting on this message board again ... but I feel compelled to do so after Richard's recent posts goading me into a reply.

I've tried to take the high-road on this issue, and Richard and I have been exchanging emails back and forth like old former war buddies in an effort to keep this squabble off the bb. (I would guess that we have exchanged at least two dozen emails since my last post.)

I was not aware that Richard continued to post his bb barbs at me during our email exchanges until I was notified by other bb readers of this practice. No, not hundreds of emails received ... but emails from a total of six people who don't agree with Richard on almost any subject ... which is unfair, because Richard is absolutely right on some issues. He is a very successful ebay seller (his feedback of 3000+ demonstrates that). He obviously sells a lot of silver strikes on this message board (that's a given). He does have some sort of admitted brain disorder which requires him to type in all capital letters that is annoying to some (but not to me anymore after his explanation) and he generally likes to brag alot about how much he's doing for the hobby (that is debateable)... it's more about how much he's doing for himself.

Richard's subsequent goading posts appearing on this bb during our email exchanges appears to make me out as some kind of coward for not responding to his posted messages calling out my name repeatedly ... so I have no alternative but to respond once more ... in violation of my previous post that I was done here.

First, let me say that Richard is right and I'm wrong ... which I told him personally in an email yesterday. Now, in light of Richard's most recent posts... I wish to qualify that. If you will stay with this post ... you will see how this mild discussion applies to Silver Strikes.

Second of all, let me say that from the good old USA ... to the Far East.... "gold is gold the whole world 'round" Makes no difference whether we are talking about a tiny 14k tear-drop gold pendant, or a fancy 12-ounce 14k gold goblet or chalice.

Richard tells me that 14k represents a gold content of only 38% gold. I'll accept that as a fact from Richard. Here is another undisputable fact: An ounce of 14k "solid gold" (12 ounces ... not 16 ounces) contains the exact same amount of gold that one ounce of 14k "hollow gold" contains. Just like a pound of feathers (16 ounces) weighs the same as a pound of lead.

Richard advises me several times in his emails that I should look up the word "solid" in the dictionary ... and he uses the inaccurate comparison that a "solid" block of ice with a grape frozen in the center is still a "solid" block of ice.... ergo; "solid gold". My response was if that same block of ice contained only 38% water (just like 14k "solid" gold only contains 38% gold) and the other 62% was composed of grapes ... (just like the other 62% of 14k gold contains an alloy made up of other metals) ... would we still have a "solid" block of ice with only 38% water ... or would we have a "solid block of frozen grapes"?

So in that context, Richard is correct, and I am wrong. 14k IS "solid" gold compared to 14k "liquid" gold ... but who could wear "liquid" gold around their neck or wrist or ankle? Of course 14k rings, bracelets and necklaces are "solid".... but are they "solid gold"?

14k "solid" gold in that 38% context referenced above becomes 14k "solid gold alloy".... not 14k "solid gold".

In my book, 38% of something does not make it "solid" anything. When 38% of something is mixed with 62% of lesser materials (such as alloys in the case of gold)... yes, we now have something that can be called "SOLID" as an object ... but it's not "solid gold" ... it is more properly defined as solid gold ALLOY.

Those gold bricks that are stored in the U.S. gold depository at West Point and at Fort Knox are "solid gold" ... and trust me folks, those bricks are not 38% gold (14k)!

Now at this point you may be saying to yourself,
"what has all this got to do with Silver Strikes. It's got PLENTY to do with Silver Strikes, because it was the same misleading of the term ".999 fine silver" that was applied to the bronze rims of many earlier silver strikes before the law was changed that now requires the .999 fine silver stamp to be placed on the silver portion of the strike, not on the rim. Apply the same argument to 14k "solid" gold and you will then get the connection. True, the jewelry is stamped 14k ... but it is not stamped "solid gold".

The "solid gold" tag is applied by the Madison Ave. hucksters who want the purchasers to think they are getting something they are not. The Atlantic City Boardwalk is full of hustlers of solid gold chains, solid gold bracelets, solid gold watches, solid gold rings, etc. They walk up to you on the Boardwalk and the Avenues and flash open their overcoats brimming over with gold objects to display an array of solid gold "stuff". At first blush, one would think this is stolen merchandise they are offering because they are offering it so cheaply and shadily ... but in actuality, it is cheap gold alloy and not stolen merchandise .... not solid gold.... and it is still overpriced ... and I'm NOT suggesting this is the type of stuff that Richard is offering for "free" as a come-on for his silver strike offerings.

In the coin hobby, the exact same gold that is used for jewelry, is used to manufacture and strike gold coins ... the only difference is that the gold in coins is not 38% gold (like 14k gold jewelry is)... the gold in coins is 90% gold.... and only 10% alloy. Even with that high percentage of gold, no coin dealer in his right mind would call a $20 gold piece "solid gold" .. even though it is 90% gold compared to 38% gold in the case of 14k. The coin dealer would be laughed right out of the industry by his peers if he called his 90% gold ... "solid gold".

Now Richard will tell you that he not talking about coins .. he is talking jewelry. Well I'm talking GOLD ... which is the universally accepted standard around the world as far as purity and measuring goes. 38% gold is not "Solid Gold" in my book....it is simply "14k gold" ... and that's all I have to say on the matter.

Yes Richard, you ARE right. Your 14k is "solid" .... as opposed to liquid. But I feel that you are using this bb to hawk your "solid gold" as much as you are your silver strikes ... and I would hope that the Board members (with a capital "B" as in Chapter) will adopt a policy against selling and trading "stuff" other than silver strikes on this Strike Point bb.

BTW: Please don't email me anymore Richard and I promise not to email you either. Now I'm done on this bb ... until the policy is changed.