Restored Megalodon Tooth?

[Fossil'n'Roll]

I found this listed as having no restoration. The back looks totally real to me - too much damage to be restored. The root and edges look fine to me as well, but something about the enamel just below the bourlette seems off. I may just be seeing things as the hydration cracks look real, but figured I should ask here before buying. Restoration can be tricky to spot sometimes.

[Wolf89]

That looks restored to me, but wait for the experts.

[sixgill pete]

Personally I think the tooth is real. Part of my reasoning is that megalodon teeth are so common, why would someone "fake" one to look like this. Meg teeth of this quality, water worn and damaged, are a dime a dozen so to speak. The big question on this tooth to me should be the price. 

[Troodon]

Enamel peel is very common with Meg's and often restored to make the tooth more sellable.  The sheen in this area looks a bit suspect but it's very difficult to make that call off of photos. By holding the tooth at different angles see if you can see differences in sheen.

 

 

[Meatasaurus93]

1 hour ago, sixgill pete said:

Personally I think the tooth is real. Part of my reasoning is that megalodon teeth are so common, why would someone "fake" one to look like this. Meg teeth of this quality, water worn and damaged, are a dime a dozen so to speak. The big question on this tooth to me should be the price. 

 

While true, there will always be motivation to make a quick buck. I've seen a number of restored teeth pop up on "auction sites" that are in comparable condition to the tooth in the OP. These teeth can sell for several times over what a non-restored specimen would sell for. As long as a seller isn't deceiving the buyer, there's nothing wrong with some restoration.

 

As far as the specimen in question, that's a tough call. I wouldn't say hydration cracks are an indicator that it's legit. I've attached some pictures below of a convincing restored specimen that has similar qualities. Like sixgill pete mentioned, Meg teeth are super common. If you have any doubts about its authenticity, I'd pass and go for something that is more of a home run. There are thousands of options out there, so take some time to shop around before making a decision! Also, if you do go with the tooth above, make sure the seller has a return policy in case it doesn't check out in person.

 

 

[sixgill pete]

1 minute ago, Meatasaurus93 said:

 

While true, there will always be motivation to make a quick buck. I've seen a number of restored teeth pop up on "auction sites" that are in comparable condition to the tooth in the OP. These teeth can sell for several times over what a non-restored specimen would sell for. As long as a seller isn't deceiving the buyer, there's nothing wrong with some restoration.

 

As far as the specimen in question, that's a tough call. I wouldn't say hydration cracks are an indicator that it's legit. I've attached some pictures below of a convincing restored specimen that has similar qualities. Like sixgill pete mentioned, Meg teeth are super common. If you have any doubts about its authenticity, I'd pass and go for something that is more of a home run. There are thousands of options out there, so take some time to shop around before making a decision! Also, if you do go with the tooth above, make sure the seller has a return policy in case it doesn't check out in person.

 

 

The one you show that is restored, I get. But, why only restore one partially and leave it in such poor condition. Why wouldn't it have been restored to a better condition, more fast cash so to speak. 

[Meatasaurus93]

1 minute ago, sixgill pete said:

The one you show that is restored, I get. But, why only restore one partially and leave it in such poor condition. Why wouldn't it have been restored to a better condition, more fast cash so to speak. 

 

True, the picture in my post wasn't directly in response to your post and more in response to the hydration cracks that Fossil'n'Roll mentioned in the OP.  I was trying to show that convincing hydration cracks shouldn't be the teller that it's a legitimate specimen.

 

Here's a better example of one that is in worse condition than the one in the OP. The seller mentions that the enamel has been restored on the display side and some chips to the root. The auction ends in a few minutes...

 

 

[InvestableCards]

I've handled a fair amount of Megalodon teeth and it's often not so easy to tell from photos due to lighting and angles. It's pretty easy to tell once you have it in your possession, as even if you don't have a keen eye for detail, a little rubbing of acetone will quickly prove or disprove suspect areas. 

 

You could say that the enamel just below the bourlette on the right side of the tooth looks off on the first photo. But this could be due to lighting/shadowing. If I were a gambling man and told that a part of the tooth was definitely restored, I'd bet on the right side. 

 

Really, your best bet is to buy from a reputable seller, or to purchase from somewhere that offers money-back protection guarantees with your payment. 

[Fossil'n'Roll]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll pass on this one and wait for one that's less questionable. Most likely in similar condition, though, since I'm looking for 6.25"+ and most of the really nice ones I've seen are well out of budget.

[caldigger]

2 hours ago, Fossil'n'Roll said:

since I'm looking for 6.25"+ and most of the really nice ones I've seen are well out of budget.

Aren't we all!!!

Especially harder to find those sizes that haven't been "helped" in some way, that are affordable.

[InvestableCards]

I had a better look through all the pics on my laptop and my gut says it might be off for a few reasons. But you can never be 100% sure either way until you get them in your possession. Some of them have very small areas of restoration that blend in quite well on photos. 

 

Megalodon teeth are some of the most restored out there, as it's so easy to do compared with other teeth and fossils. You can easily tell once you have hold of one, even the most professionally restored ones can quickly be found out with simple testing. 

 

The good thing is that Megalodon teeth are readily available, so you'll always find more of that size that you feel more confident with. It's the high quality teeth and ones from certain locations that aren't so readily available. 

[Meatasaurus93]

21 hours ago, Fossil'n'Roll said:

Thanks everyone. I think I'll pass on this one and wait for one that's less questionable. Most likely in similar condition, though, since I'm looking for 6.25"+ and most of the really nice ones I've seen are well out of budget.

 

There will definitely be a premium on any complete Meg tooth that exceeds 6". That seems to be the magic number where teeth get to be very pricey. I own a few nice Megs that are just a hair under 6" that I picked up for significantly less than what they would have run me if they were just 1/16" of an inch longer. My biggest meg is the same size that you are after (6.25"), and the size difference between that one and my other large teeth is barely noticeable. If you are just looking for a visually impressive Meg, you would be better off getting a high quality tooth (no resto, good enamel/bourlette, etc.) in the 5.5-5.75" range. Teeth in that range will outsize pretty much any other type of tooth (save for proboscidean teeth)!