Just About How Fake Is This Trilobite?

[Kurufossils]

I present this here large asaphus trilobite, besides being repaired how much if composited/fake is this trilobite?

[Scylla]

Too much.

[Fitch1979]

Can you ask for a picture of the backside? It often tells more about these trilobite then the front side..

 

 

[Pemphix]

Difficult to tell from these pics.

Would need more High Res pics and details (Zoom).

 

[daves64]

I think the matrix is real.. 

[Kurufossils]

@Fitch1979 Heres a pic of the back of the matrix, sorry I won't be provided the clearest of images.

[Fitch1979]

I do tend to believe this is a fairly good specimen? I don't see any real problems, perhaps the outer parts of the pygidium a bit (not sure, would need better pictures) .. but looks a fairly good specimen to me ..

[Kurufossils]

@Fitch1979 Thanks for the feedback I tried to zoom in and edit a bit, wish I could get clearer pics, I'm not sure if this helps.

[Fitch1979]

I do want to confirm.. looking good

[Ludwigia]

I don't think there's anything fake or composite about this one. At most the thorax has been overly carved, but the original substance still appears to be there.

[Pemphix]

@Tidgy's Dad may  help...

[Tidgy's Dad]

In my opinion it's pretty darned good. 

There may have been a bit of touching up, a bit of filler added to the centre of the glabella and a bit of 'improvement' to a few of the pleural spines, but I like this specimen. 

[Kurufossils]

Thank you very much for the feedback everyone! It's so tough to have any confidence with most Morroccan trilobites.

[Tidgy's Dad]

4 minutes ago, Ryann10006 said:

Thank you very much for the feedback everyone! It's so tough to have any confidence with most Morroccan trilobites.

Most of the thousands of Moroccan trilobites available every day are genuine, but due to the huge volume and demand a few unscrupulous folk take advantage and fake them. 

Don't forget also that Moroccan preppers and dealers are looking for sales, necessary for their livelihoods, and they believe that the general public will buy 'complete' specimens rather than ones with bits missing or damaged. They mostly genuinely think they are improving the specimens and are not trying to cheat anyone. They will admit what they have added, it is some of the later dealers in the chain  who don't know what 'improvements' have been made or lie about it.  

 

 

[piranha]

The difficulty in determining the actual condition is due to the low-res images.  You should insist on better images from the seller. 

This one from my collection has zero restoration.