lasersaber Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Hi, I am new here and just starting to find and purchase fossils for my collection. Up until now, everything I have purchased appears to be legit. Today, however, I just received a fossil that is not even the same rock as shown in the original auction photos. The first thing I noticed is that the fossil was leaving black marks, almost like a pencil would, on white paper. I decided to wash it off and saw a few patches that were a completely different color of grey and looked like a glue/putty material. Restoration, maybe? This grey stuff was soft and easily scraped off with a razor blade. Later, after I had it all washed off, I compared it to the original auction photos, and I realized that this is not even the same fossil. It's too bad because now I am not able to show before and after photos of the fossil that I received, though I will show the photos from the auction listing. Original auction photos: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasersaber Posted May 19, 2019 Author Share Posted May 19, 2019 What do you think, fake or just really bad preparation? Here are the photos of what I received: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 This looks completely real, to me. The prep is a bit rough, though. Not a bad trilobite. 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...
Ludwigia Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 It's real, but ruined in my opinion. I'd return it for a refund unless you got it cheap. Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suchomimus20 Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 it's real Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordTrilobite Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Yup, real, but rough prep. Olof Moleman AKA Lord Trilobite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 What a shame... This one would have turned out quite nice if the preparation wasn't so rough. I echo Roger in seeing if you can get a refund and use the proceeds for a much nicer example. I would definitely let the seller know that the one they pictured is not the one you received. ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 I agree with contacting the seller. It definitely isn't the same trilobite pictured. Are you sure the listing didn't say you would get one, but not the one pictured? 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 May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Real and beaten up by some prepping thugs. RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasersaber Posted May 19, 2019 Author Share Posted May 19, 2019 Quote Are you sure the listing didn't say you would get one, but not the one pictured? Yes, it was a single sale auction with nothing in the description to suggest otherwise. The listing stated Item #29, many hours of preparation. :-) Thank you all for your input. Since the rock is not even the same as shown in the listing, I will contact the seller and see what they offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Good luck. As has been said, it's a genuine trilobite, but the prep job is pretty shoddy. The black stuff that came off is probably shoe polish, or the like, which is sometimes used to 'improve' the look of scratched or repaired specimens. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson g Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 1 hour ago, lasersaber said: Yes, it was a single sale auction with nothing in the description to suggest otherwise. The listing stated Item #29, many hours of preparation. :-) Thank you all for your input. Since the rock is not even the same as shown in the listing, I will contact the seller and see what they offer. I'd go for a refund, however you paid. If someone is likely to sell you a fossil and send you one that isn't even the same as the picture posted for purchase, you probably don't want to deal with whomever it be. If it was off the internet's favorite auction site, don't bother with messaging the seller and use the money back guarantee. I personally see that as fraud, unlikely it was just a mix up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Tahan Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Clearly not the trilobite you bought...I’d be very disappointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Something to consider - the one advertised looks a bit rough, as well, and is probably covered with the same "shoe polish". 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...
Wrangellian Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 Well the one pictured looks better than the one received, anyway! It's not the worst I've seen... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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