ynaffit Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 (edited) Hi, I'm a beginner with fossils and recently purchased a Knightia fossil for 50 New Zealand dollars. When I got home I took a look and noticed it appeared painted. I've researched and apparently people often paint over to enhance it and make it look better. The question is, is it fake? I don't mind if it's painted over for looks but I will be disappointed if it's completely fake. Has to be painted, now I'm just wondering whether it's a genuine fossil or not Edited June 11, 2017 by ynaffit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miocene_Mason Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Don't take my word for it but I think that it's probably a real fish, although it does look painted to me. It could also be them trying to administer a protective coating but they seem to have messed up pretty bad. “...whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been and are being evolved.” ~ Charles Darwin Happy hunting, Mason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 It is definitely real - no worries there. It is painted over, to give a colorless fish more selling power. And it is displayed upside down, in the first picture. 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...
ynaffit Posted June 11, 2017 Author Share Posted June 11, 2017 Oh thank you for your replies, I'm relieved it's at least real. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 15 minutes ago, ynaffit said: Oh thank you for your replies, I'm relieved it's at least real. You're welcome, Tiffany. 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...
FossilDudeCO Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Yup, real fish, just mostly paint. PM headed your way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seguidora-de-Isis Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Complete fish fossils tend to be rare, and it is far more common to find just parts of fish... Some museums admit, while others do not admit, but the fact is that many museums paint poorly preserved fossils so that these fossils become more visible to visitors, and even many sellers paint to make their fossils more attractive. I do not call it fake, I think it is valid and can be a great way to restore and give greater clarity in the fossil. Your fossil is beautiful, it just looks badly painted. Is It real, or it's not real, that's the question! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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