Maxaurus Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 Dear dinosaur egg collectors, after buying my first spinosaurus tooth some weeks ago, I decided to look for a oviraptor egg. First I started reading threads in TFF where experts give hints to detect fake eggs (thanks for sharing your knowledge). Then I have read several threads where people ask if the eggs are real and I think I can detect most of the fake eggs now. But in this particular case I'm not sure if the egg below is real or fake? The egg shape is pretty wide from one angle. The shell is very complete and from my point of view the texture and pores continue after a crack in the shell. What do you guys think? Thanks for helping. Max Link to post Share on other sites
aeon.rocks Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 It’s real. No red flags. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites
bcfossilcollector Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 I agree with aeon.rocks. The egg looks good. Hard to tell if any shell has been re attached to the inner matrix based on the photos but I see no red flags either. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
rocket Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 gooooood quality, very nice egg! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
snolly50 Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 I am impressed by the amount of shell coverage. Indeed, the area of missing shell does not appear as extensive (or located as) the hatch windows I have seen. I wonder if the absent shell is just damage and the egg is unhatched. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Maxaurus Posted January 29 Author Share Posted January 29 Thank you guys for helping. I was pretty sure that it was real, but the quality seemed to be too good for such an egg. Let's see if I have a chance to get it. 7 hours ago, snolly50 said: I am impressed by the amount of shell coverage. Indeed, the area of missing shell does not appear as extensive (or located as) the hatch windows I have seen. I wonder if the absent shell is just damage and the egg is unhatched. That's another good question I haven't thought about yet. But where is a regular hatch window located and how does it look like? Thanks. Max Link to post Share on other sites
snolly50 Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 (edited) 1 hour ago, Maxaurus said: located and how does it look In my limited experience, about 1/3 to 1/2 of what appears the "bottom" of a prepped egg is missing. The opening usually remains hidden in matrix along the egg's long axis, not damage at the end of the egg like your post. The shell covered, display side of most prepped eggs is actually the "bottom," that is, what rested against the nest. Of course it is not impossible that a hatchling emerged from the breach in your posted piece. However, the shell disruption appears less extensive then expected. If I owned that specimen, I would explore the unhatched notion. @HamptonsDoc Edited January 29 by snolly50 Link to post Share on other sites
Ginger0412 Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 It is rare to find such well-preserved eggs. That's excellent. Link to post Share on other sites
Maxaurus Posted January 29 Author Share Posted January 29 8 hours ago, snolly50 said: In my limited experience, about 1/3 to 1/2 of what appears the "bottom" of a prepped egg is missing. The opening usually remains hidden in matrix along the egg's long axis, not damage at the end of the egg like your post. The shell covered, display side of most prepped eggs is actually the "bottom," that is, what rested against the nest. Of course it is not impossible that a hatchling emerged from the breach in your posted piece. However, the shell disruption appears less extensive then expected. If I owned that specimen, I would explore the unhatched notion. @HamptonsDoc Thanks for explanation. That absolutely makes sense. If I get it I will explore that further Link to post Share on other sites
Francesco1994 Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 Very nice I love it 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Maxaurus Posted February 7 Author Share Posted February 7 Unfortunately I was outbid... but I think there will be some more nice dinosaur eggs out there. Patience is key for a good purchase. Link to post Share on other sites
Maxaurus Posted February 14 Author Share Posted February 14 Hello, another oviraptor egg is offered now, see attached pictures. What do you think about this one? The egg shell is also very complete but it doesn't look like an intact egg due to that flat shape. Another thing is the condition of the egg shell. I think there is some preparation work required, isn't it? I saw some amazing results of prepped eggs from members here and I wonder if this egg could get the same black color and surface texture. Unfortunately I neither have preparation equipment nor experience in preparation. And what is the approximate time effort for a experienced prepper to prep an entire egg like this? Thanks in advance. Max Link to post Share on other sites
rocket Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 hm, I think this is a mixture, I would not trust the last egg It´s nice, but has some different colors and too much matrix between the shell-parts Link to post Share on other sites
Doctor Mud Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 I think this second one looks good. If it was assembled from random eggshell fragments they did an amazing job. See how the texture is continuous across the fractures. A bit harder than lining up a complex pattern while wallpapering I think the patchy appearance is from matrix still attached. I don’t have any experience with this rock, but imagine air abrasion might be a good option if the rock is softer than the shell? You should be able to get an estimate from someone to do this for you. Link to post Share on other sites
Phos_01 Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 First egg was much beter then second. But have no worry more eggs will come up. They are rare but not extremely rare; good ones exist but they are expensive. Link to post Share on other sites
Troodon Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 I think the second one is fine but it needs a bit of preparation. I would continue looking if you cannot prep. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
jpc Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 I agree that the second one looks real and pretty good. I just needs a good dose of air abrasion work. Link to post Share on other sites
Maxaurus Posted February 15 Author Share Posted February 15 20 hours ago, rocket said: hm, I think this is a mixture, I would not trust the last egg It´s nice, but has some different colors and too much matrix between the shell-parts yeah.. I wasn't sure concerning these brighter spots like in the first 3 pictures. The rest is residual matrix I think. 4 hours ago, Phos_01 said: First egg was much beter then second. But have no worry more eggs will come up. They are rare but not extremely rare; good ones exist but they are expensive. I know that there are very good eggs, but I think they're out of my budget and this one is at the limit. 3 hours ago, Troodon said: I think the second one is fine but it needs a bit of preparation. I would continue looking if you cannot prep. 3 hours ago, jpc said: I agree that the second one looks real and pretty good. I just needs a good dose of air abrasion work. And what do you guys think how long it will take to remove most of the residual matrix for a experienced prepper? Is it a few hours or several days? I wouldn't do the preparation work on my own but maybe I find a professional here in Germany. Thanks to all for your helpful answers :-) Link to post Share on other sites
jpc Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 49 minutes ago, Maxaurus said: yeah.. I wasn't sure concerning these brighter spots like in the first 3 pictures. The rest is residual matrix I think. I know that there are very good eggs, but I think they're out of my budget and this one is at the limit. And what do you guys think how long it will take to remove most of the residual matrix for a experienced prepper? Is it a few hours or several days? I wouldn't do the preparation work on my own but maybe I find a professional here in Germany. Thanks to all for your helpful answers :-) I did one of these once... they are pretty fast to prep. Measured in hours not days. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Troodon Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 I've never prepped an egg. I'll support what jpc indicated Link to post Share on other sites
rocket Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 prep goes fast, normally not hard matrix but solid shell and easy to remove prepped 4 eggs and it worked well Link to post Share on other sites
Maxaurus Posted February 17 Author Share Posted February 17 That sounds good. Thank you guys for helping. I'll keep you updated. Link to post Share on other sites
Maxaurus Posted February 22 Author Share Posted February 22 Update: I finally bought the second egg. According to the pictures it looks good and I also can't afford a better one. Hopefully it arrives soon. Then I will send some more pictures of it 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Tidgy's Dad Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 2 hours ago, Maxaurus said: Update: I finally bought the second egg. According to the pictures it looks good and I also can't afford a better one. Hopefully it arrives soon. Then I will send some more pictures of it Shame you missed out on the first one, but the second one looks pretty nice as well. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Maxaurus Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 Hello to all, the oviraptor egg arrived well yesterday. But I had to go to the customs office..... 4 customs officers watched me opening the package that I claimed has a real dinosaur egg inside. They were curious. After hearing lots of Jurassic Park jokes from them - I showed it to them and then they were astonished...I will never forget their facial expressions. I was also relieved to see that the egg wasn't damage from the transport because 1 day before I just received a damaged vertebra. I really really like my oviraptor egg. It looks very nice. What do you guys think? The only thing to do might be additional prepping to remove the remaining grey matrix. As I dont have any experience in prepping and also no tools for it, I have to ask somebody in my region. I have tried out to get something off with a dental pick - it works OK but I think air abrasion would be more effective? Or brushing somehow? Thanks to all for supporting me with your expertise. I'm a very proud owner of an oviraptor egg now. And have a nice weekend. 5 Link to post Share on other sites
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