Lineage Fanatics...is it really worth the $$?

[Stray32]

For example:

Emerald Mummy Eye w/o Lineage = $100 (just an example)
Emerald Mummy Eye w/ Lineage = $300

Both look EXACTLY the same... so explain to me why the $300 version is worth it? Do you consider yourself collectors? Is it bragging rights?

Not trying to sound like an butt, just would like to understand.

Personally I buy most of my coral based on looks...the more colorful and unusual, the better, regardless of whether is Tyree, ORA, etc, etc.

 

[Sikryd]

To me, it is all about color. With so many "knockoffs" - it gets old buying stuff that someone names the same only to find out either the color isn't the same, its wild and dies on you, and the possibility that it will morph.
If its just a piece that someone doesn't have lineage for, but the color is the exact same - I would definitely buy it.

There are sooooo many people now selling zoa/paly's and chalices under the "cool names" when in fact that look like dirt in the tank compared to the "real" stuff. This doesn't go for all piece, but enough to where I won't even mess with it anymore.
Due to the money involved nowadays there are tons of people scouring LFS's and wholesalers looking for "similiar" wild pieces, buy them, call them the same thing, then try and make a mint off of it.

I know from experience. It gets REALLY old buying something online only to find out the piece sucks when it gets here.

The only real way to prevent that from happening is buying lineaged stuff.

My .02

 

[Stray32]

That makes sense actually..thanks.

 

[aerius007]

I also like lineage just to be sure I know what Im getting. Having said I only have a few pieces that have lineage but those ones look how they are supposed to. I have bought a bunch of pieces that dont have lineage, some are good and others are not. So even though pieces with lineage cost more, if you end buying a few pieces that arent what they are supposed to be due to lack of lineage are you really saving any money? And when it does come time to frag you can be more confident in selling/trading the piece.

 

[reefboy]

Im curious just how do you prove linage other then having the person you got it from back you up? I been in this hobby 23+ years have done tons of trades have stuff from Tyree to Pallata but other then my word I have no real proof so again how do you really prove linage other then trust?

 

[UC / Apsley]

Knowing you who are dealing with is usually the first step in trusting someone and also knowing their collection helps

 

[Viva'sReef]

Most of us "collectors" keep up on each others stuff. I know I'm a Coral Stalker.....always checking out the Chalice Threads and whatnot. Presence on the boards, having dealt with in the past, or the new nifty Certificate of Authenticity are all ways to find the good stuff LOL

 

[reefboy]

anyone can make a COA lol I still think it comes down to trust and the good thing is a guy can really only burn you once if he is like me but if your dealing with a hobbyist that can change online names easly that could be a issue.

 

[Sikryd]

Trust and integrity...

 

[Reef Goddess]

I can somewhat understand lineage on chalices and such, but doing lineage on zoos I think is silly. I have seen plenty of wild zoos that come in that are exactly the same as the ones with "lineage" and the color doesn't change. Just like with that whole "Japanese" zoos thing where people were paying crazy prices for zoos that looked just like my ultra eagle eyes.

Also, to pay more because someone puts his name on the coral is nuts. Everyone in the business that I've talked with thinks hobbyists are goofy to pay more just cause Tyree puts his name on a coral. Its all a marketing thing and Tyree gets to profit from it (as well as the retailer). Just like a lot of ORA corals go for more than the exact same wild coral.

But I do think its bad for a seller to claim a piece has lineage when its wild. If I get a coral in that looks just like a famous coral I say straight out that it is wild, because I could care less about lineage. What makes a coral nice is itself, not who it came from.

 

[Paul_N]

"What makes a coral nice is itself, not who it came from."

Amen sister. I have an ORA rose digi. I tell people it is just a rose digi or a purple cap instead of an Idaho Grape. I get them because I like the way they look. I understand people that want to have a "collectible" and that's fine. I just think it is kind of silly when some try to act like it is something special, it's a coral. I equate these kind of corals with first edition books. The first edition is worth a lot, but the others, not so much even though they are by the same author. If someone wants to pay $250 and up to be one of the first to have a certain piece, that's fine because I will wait till next year for a fraction of the cost. JMO