Cutting

At MNM, We are fully aware that our success depends on your success, and we are happy to partner with you to provide you with high quality cutting services on state-of-the-art equipment for roughly 1/3 the cost of other domestic wire cutters. We don't care if they're big or small, at MNM, we cut 'em all!

Wire cutting:
Until now, meteorite enthusiasts have had to choose between prohibitively expensive wire cuts, often exceeding $3/g, or 30+% loss of material from less expensive saws. Well, I am thrilled to tell you, those days are over.
At MNM, we use state-of-the-art, computer controlled, diamond wire saws which result in extremely consistent cuts to 1/100mm accuracy, and minimal material loss, preserving more of your one-of-a-kind Meteorites (see below for estimated price, loss, and cost comparison). We can accommodate any stone or iron up to 30x30cm, with nearly unlimited length.
Wire is available in 0.145mm, 0.165mm, and 0.2mm widths for maximum conservation. 
At MNM, in most cases, wire cutting will cost from $0.75/g-$1.25/g, fully finished. Cost varies based on material hardness and slice thickness. Contact us anytime for an estimate!

Lapidary saw:
Perfect for the "NWA Xs", Lapidary saw is a fast and inexpensive way to explore what's inside more common meteorites where material loss is less of an issue (again, see comparison below). Blades are 0.035" or about 0.7mm, and cut small to medium size stones in minutes-hours, rather than days on a wire saw. Price for lapidary cutting is $0.5/g, based on finished weight, and includes polish/finish on one side. if you just need the rock sliced but not sanded, the price is $0.25/g. 

Irons:
Irons were some of the first, and still my favorites to cut. While we have several options to cut irons up to 45cmx45cm, our high end, Jet Elite bandsaw is the machine of choice. We also offer wire cutting for more valuable irons, and can occasionally run smaller irons on the lap saw.  Irons generally cost $0.5/g, based on finished weight, though I am happy to negotiate for rare irons or pieces larger than 5kg. 

How to decide:
Generally, we recommend wire cutting for anything outside of generic, ordinary chondrites but the comparison is easy for anyone to do and allows you determine where your cost to value limit needs to be.
To compare savings to cost, you know estimated value (per g), of the stone you need cut, the weight of this stone, and how thick you want slices. Then, wire size. 
For this example, I will use 0.165mm wire and a retail value of $5/g. Feel free to substitute your own numbers for a more customized result.
Cut loss is largely a fixed number based on blade width and slice thickness. For Example, lets say you have a stone you want sliced in 3mm thick cuts. Just divide wire thickness by slice thickness, and you have your answer. So, for 0.165 mm wire and 3mm slices, here is your equation 0.165÷3= 0.055. That's about 5.5% cut loss on any stone for 3mm slices (polishing loss is an additional 2-5%). If you prefer 2mm slices 0.165÷2= 0.0825 or just over 8% loss. Compare this to a lapidary saw with very thin, 0.035 inch blade (0.7mm). For 3mm slices, 0.7÷3= 0.233 or just over 23% loss plus another 5-7% in finishing loss. So, roughly 30%. 
In real terms, cutting a 1000g Meso into 3mm slices on wire will cost you roughly $1000. Loss will be 100g, on avg. 
To cut the same stone on a lapidary saw would cost roughly $400, but your loss would be 300g, or 200g more loss at a cost of $3000 in cut loss compared to $1000 in cut loss. Add the extra $600 fee for wire, and your true cost comparison looks like this
Wire saw $1000 fee + $1000 in cut loss
$2000 (or $2/g in value)
Lapidary $400 fee plus $3000 loss= $3400 total cost or $3.4/g in value.
The wire cut savings will actually save you $1400, despite higher up front costs.