John525 Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 I recently bought this large trilobite fossil at a rock/fossil shop in Texas. After doing research I found that their are apparently Alot of fakes out there. The fossil itself has the same grainy mineral characteristics as the rock surrounding it when a flashlight is shined on it. The tiny sandy mineral deposits sparkle. I did a small bite test that an article I read suggested to do and it did not feel like resin. It was very gritty and the same texture as the rock that surrounds the fossil. Please help me if you can. Sorry it is only 1 picture. It wouldn't let me upload any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 This looks like a complete fabrication, to me. It looks carved to me. 2 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...
Tidgy's Dad Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 Try to refresh or go to main menu and back again between loading pictures. You should be able to upload another if it's less than 3.95 MB if you try again now. Close ups and a photo of the back may help, but I think this is carved from clay or the like.(as Tim's just posted). 1 Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyw Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 I have to agree with the others. It looks carved but more pictures would help us be sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John525 Posted May 30, 2019 Author Share Posted May 30, 2019 That is the back of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 You can add more photos by replying to this thread. I have to agree that the "specimen" looks like a complete fabrication. There are no suture lines on the cephalon, the grooves/lobes on the glabellum differ a lot from authentic specimens, and the divisions between pleural segments are obviously carved and do not even extend all the way to the edge. Don 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John525 Posted May 30, 2019 Author Share Posted May 30, 2019 Here is more of a close up. Thank you for the replies so far. Disappointing but I can understand. In retrospect I thought I had a good deal only paying 50 dollars for it. This thing is 8 inches tall and 6 inches across Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyw Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 It looks like there are drying cracks in between the segments and the “v”s between the eyes look exactly like the blade on one of my clay tools I use for prepping fossils.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Breakin' Rocks Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 5 minutes ago, John525 said: In retrospect I thought I had a good deal only paying 50 dollars for it. Well, you can look at it this way .. you now have a decent decorative/art piece that 'resembles' a large trilobite that used to be on the planet over 500 million years ago ? It's a glass half full way to go .... Cheers, Brett 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinopaleus Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 I agree, unfortunately this piece is fake the glabellar furrows and misalignment of thoracic segments are telltale signs. There doesn't appear to be any details along the genal borders as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray.jeffords318 Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 9 hours ago, John525 said: I recently bought this large trilobite fossil at a rock/fossil shop in Texas. After doing research I found that their are apparently Alot of fakes out there. The fossil itself has the same grainy mineral characteristics as the rock surrounding it when a flashlight is shined on it. The tiny sandy mineral deposits sparkle. I did a small bite test that an article I read suggested to do and it did not feel like resin. It was very gritty and the same texture as the rock that surrounds the fossil. Please help me if you can. Sorry it is only 1 picture. It wouldn't let me upload any more. Can't see if its fake or not. It's beautiful tho.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 Hey @John525, looks completely fake to me. Try not to feel bad. We have all been taken by fakes before. The next time you have something you want to purchase, post a pic here and these folks will let you know what they think. and believe me, these folks know what they are talking about. Good luck RB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordTrilobite Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 I think JUST the tail is real. It looks more wonky and detailed than the rest of the specimen. Olof Moleman AKA Lord Trilobite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 Possibly parts of the top of the axis in the pygidium are original, nothing else, I'm afraid. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelius Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 I think parts are real. They usually include some real bits and then build it up with fake stuff on top. On some of mine that I've examined, I've found more real fossil actually beneath the resin that they use, because they don't just use that material to create missing parts, but also to 'improve' upon existing ones. A rinse under the tap and scrub with a toothbrush can reveal more original bits, because mine were painted too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John525 Posted May 31, 2019 Author Share Posted May 31, 2019 I never realized I would get so many replies. Thank you everyone for yalls input! I really like this forum. I will make some posts on some pretty awesome fossil finds I have made out in the wilderness. I can guarantee the authenticity of those! Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyw Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 1 minute ago, John525 said: I never realized I would get so many replies. Thank you everyone for yalls input! I really like this forum. I will make some posts on some pretty awesome fossil finds I have made out in the wilderness. I can guarantee the authenticity of those! Lol Looking forward to seeing them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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