another Keichousaurus validation request..!

[fossilsam]

Hi fossil friends!  I made a purchase (my first ever) and waiting for my fossil's arrival from China.  I have done some level of research and spent a little above average for what I hope is a correspondingly better quality fossil, but I'd appreciate the community's expert discerning eye to tell me if it of course seems authentic, and also if it's been hopefully better prepared than average.  It does seem less "flat" than some of the other over prepped ones I have seen. 

 

I'm already assuming the digits/teeth will be painted on based on what I can see and I am unsure if imperfect area around the middle of the spine is more convincing or more troubling.  

 

These are all the photos I have, but of course will be more than happy to provide others once it is in my hands.

 

Thank you in advance!!

 

Sam

[Fossildude19]

I did some photo manilpulation, (Reverse black and white/adjust contrast) (This is no proven method, just one I have found that seems to work. )

 

 

       

 

 

 

This looks real, but heavily painted. 

I think the brighter looking whites are completely/heavily painted. 

The spines at the base of the tail, the ribs on the bottom both look to be mostly paint, to me. 

Teeth and digits look mostly painted on. 

I think this was a fairly rough prep job.    

Regards,

[fossilsam]

22 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said:

I did some photo manilpulation, (Reverse black and white/adjust contrast) (This is no proven method, just one I have found that seems to work. )

 

 

       

 

 

 

This looks real, but heavily painted. 

I think the brighter looking whites are completely/heavily painted. 

The spines at the base of the tail, the ribs on the bottom both look to be mostly paint, to me. 

Teeth and digits look mostly painted on. 

I think this was a fairly rough prep job.    

Regards,

my dentist uses something of the same technique for convincing me I need holes drilled in my teeth 

 

Thank you for taking the time to do this!!!

 

I agree, most especially about the lower spines.  I thought they looked rather 2 dimensional.  Interesting that the top right arm appears not to be enhanced (based on your technique) as I thought it didn't look that great in the picture.

 

Glad to know you don't think it's an outright fake.  Overall, it is still the best of the bunch I looked at, so I think I'm still rather satisfied with the purchase (~$180 USD if anyone cares to know).

 

Again, thank you!

Edited November 19, 2018 by fossilsam

[Seguidora-de-Isis]

Welcome to TFF and receive hugs here from Argentina!

 

As mentioned by our dear friend Fossildude19, some areas are visibly painted ... Oooops ... Restored!

 

 

 

 

 

I do not exclude the strong possibility that other areas have also been painted, but this you can only discover with the aid of a magnifying glass when your specimen arrives.

 

But this type of preparation is extremely common in Guizhou Province, China, that is, nothing that could compromise the presentation of this beautiful specimen.

[fossilsam]

1 hour ago, Seguidora-de-Isis said:

Welcome to TFF and receive hugs here from Argentina!

 

As mentioned by our dear friend Fossildude19, some areas are visibly painted ... Oooops ... Restored!

 

 

 

 

 

I do not exclude the strong possibility that other areas have also been painted, but this you can only discover with the aid of a magnifying glass when your specimen arrives.

 

But this type of preparation is extremely common in Guizhou Province, China, that is, nothing that could compromise the presentation of this beautiful specimen.

 

 

Can I ask how you did your analysis?  Is it just based on your visual inspection?  I find it interesting that your take is not totally the same as Fossildude19's (but concurs with other parts I thought looked suspect).

 

Thank you for the welcome and for your input!!

 

[Seguidora-de-Isis]

3 hours ago, fossilsam said:

 

 

Can I ask how you did your analysis?  Is it just based on your visual inspection?  I find it interesting that your take is not totally the same as Fossildude19's (but concurs with other parts I thought looked suspect).

 

Thank you for the welcome and for your input!!

 

 

You are welcome!

 

Yes, my analysis are based only on visual inspection and comparison with other specimens. There are actually tons of Keichousaurus publications here at TFF, so even if unintentional, we end up creating a certain affinity and experience only in analyzing photos as unfortunately we can not personally help our members. Many opinions here on the TFF may differ or converge, but the passion for fossils unites everyone here in one body and one voice. 

 

For comparison, below, a Keichousaurus that is deposited in my private collection:

 

 

 

 

Small note: The photo above refers to my preparation. Originally, my Keichousaurus came like this to me:

 

 

[steelhead9]

Sorry to say, that in my opinion, this is a mediocre specimen, with enhancement, that was over-prepared with acid. A very good idea when buying fossils is to show a photo to TFF members before you purchase them.

[fossilsam]

Seguidora-de-Isis, thanks for your evaluation and this forum was extremely helpful to me in evaluating whether or not the fossil selected was genuine at all, which was a big concern of mine.  Yours is quite nice -- thank you for sharing.  It seems like it would be good fun to prep one, but is far beyond me for now.

 

Steelhead, no need to be sorry -- I am glad for your opinion.  In truth, I am a casual collector and not likely to be much more...  As example, I was looking at this thread http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/89926-is-this-fossil-legit/ and it looks like a piece of wood to me   

 

So for me, to even have a mediocre, genuine fossil as opposed to an extremely poor one, or even outright fake, is enough for me.  I did not go into this with the expectation of coming away with a museum quality piece.  I shall continue to wait with anticipation for this specimen's arrival!  

 

 

[Pemphix]

3 hours ago, steelhead9 said:

Sorry to say, that in my opinion, this is a mediocre specimen, with enhancement, that was over-prepared with acid. A very good idea when buying fossils is to show a photo to TFF members before you purchase them.

I agree to that.

Furthermore, keep in mind that there's a chinese export ban concerning fossils (most of the vertebrates, some plants..)...

   

[fossilsam]

Out of curiosity, if there is a ban on Chinese exports, but these are primarily found in China, how then does one get a decent specimen?  And one that hasn't been been prepped by such enterprising hands? 

[Crazyhen]

I’m late to this discussion.  I agree with others that this is a genuine specimen of Keichousaurus, typical acid prepped specimen.  I’m not sure about whether it is painted from the photos as some acid prepped specimens do look like they are painted in some parts.

 

There is a ban on import and export of fossils in China.  The one you get is likely to be shipped out of China illegally.  Though I have to say that it is not impossible to get decent specimens of Chinese fossils, when they are smuggled out, like other contrabands.

 

You may wish to compare non acid prepped natural form of Keichousaurus attached.