Marcusm Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 Hi. My Family has had what we believe is a crab fossil for some years. It was passed onto us about 10 years ago. We are in Australia but I believe it possibly comes from Indonesia or East Timor originally. My question is whether Is anybody able to help me confirm whether this is a real fossil or artistic impression and also what species the crab is. If real, how would I go about determining a value? Much appreciated Marcus 142171155_Photos(2).zip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 We do not do valuations on the Forum, as it is against the rules. Check auction sites or retail/commercial dealers for comparable items. @MB is our resident crab expert. Hopefully, he will chime in on this. Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossisle Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 It certainly looks real Cephalopods rule!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcusm Posted December 9, 2021 Author Share Posted December 9, 2021 Thanks @Fossildude19 and @fossisle. @MB appreciate any insights you might have. Thanks Marcus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Breakin' Rocks Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 2 hours ago, Marcusm said: Thanks @Fossildude19 and @fossisle. @MB appreciate any insights you might have. Thanks Marcus I think the red flag for me would be the bubbly underbelly of the crab and the bubbles and divots that ride underneath towards the front ? The texture looks funny too .. like it has lost it's texture/fine detail. That makes it odd. It's really smooth, I'd be curious if it isn't cast. Cheers, Brett 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 2 hours ago, Brett Breakin' Rocks said: I'd be curious if it isn't cast If this is a cast, then there should be signs that it was colored, shouldn't there? Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcusm Posted December 9, 2021 Author Share Posted December 9, 2021 Thanks @Brett Breakin' Rocks and @Ludwigia. Is there anything I should look for specifically to determine if it's a cast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R0b Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 Just now, Marcusm said: Thanks @Brett Breakin' Rocks and @Ludwigia. Is there anything I should look for specifically to determine if it's a cast Air bubbles, paint (scratch the bottom). I think most casts would be either resin (hard) or plaster (soft). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 You could try a hot needle test. Heat a needle over a flame, and then try to pierce the object with the needle in an inconspicuous area. If it is resin, it should melt, and the needle will go in. If plaster or cement, it will not. Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 It looks real but it most definitely has some funky looking matrix. This is one of those, "wish it was in my hands and wearing an opti visor" times. Seems to have too much detail to be fake? RB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 Would these be resin bubbles? 2 ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Rico Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 (edited) It can be very hard to see the differences from a cast and a fossil in a photograph. If I could hold it ,that’s different matter . Trying the hot needle or better photographs will help. They need to be taken in daylight and in focus. My gut felling is it is real but the artificial light makes it look a little suspect Cheers Bobby Edited December 9, 2021 by Bobby Rico 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 I cropped and brightened the photos, and enlarged where necessary. 1 1 1 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Rico Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 After seeing Tim’s work I I think it is a cast, sadly . They definitely look like air bubbles to me to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcusm Posted December 9, 2021 Author Share Posted December 9, 2021 Thanks all for your input. It is sounding like it could be a cast. I will try and get some clearer photos in natural daylight in any case. Really appreciate you taking a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R0b Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 Just now, Marcusm said: Thanks all for your input. It is sounding like it could be a cast. I will try and get some clearer photos in natural daylight in any case. Really appreciate you taking a look. Try the hot needle at the bottom side to see if it’s resin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcusm Posted December 9, 2021 Author Share Posted December 9, 2021 Ok thanks @R0b. I will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sjfriend Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 You can also rub a bit of acetone on a out of the way spot to see if painted. The acetone will wipe some paint off. If real ia little wipe shouldn't do any damage. Don't drowned it though. That would cause any repairs, if real to come apart! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 On 12/9/2021 at 4:27 AM, Marcusm said: Thanks @Fossildude19 and @fossisle. @MB appreciate any insights you might have. Thanks Marcus Hi all, hard to say as always with that stuff. Carapace looks like a freshwater crab, but the rest is very hard to say from here. No data on locality and age... no nothing, no value. But you can keep it as a nice oddity and if some expert can ever get their hands on it, they will confirm its authenticity or not. Have a nice day. http://www.mbfossilcrabs.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 Thanks @Kane and @Fossildude19, I believe you have solved the mystery. RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyw Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 I was staying out of this one becuase i was on the fence about it. But after seeing fossildudes enhanced photos I’m now heavily leaning towards it being a cast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabRatKing Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 I agree this is a cast. Color is too uniform. I am more interested in the live mite crawling on it in picture #5. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now