Paris Ontario Rock and Gem Show Haul

[GreatHoatzin]

The annual Paris, Ontario event has come yet again, and this time I left with some nice pieces for the collection.

 

1. A new Knightia from the Green River formation. (~16cm long)

 

2. A section of Orthoceras (which is not the highest quality, but was a good deal) (~12cm long) (450mya)

 

3. Copal amber, with some (very small) flies from Madagascar (~6cm long)(10,000yrs)

 

 

4. The brittle star Geocoma libanotica from Libya (~4.5cm)(95mya)

 

5. Mortoniceras sp. ammonite from Texas (~6cm)(Cretaceous, Albian stage)

 

 

6. My favourite, the skull of the sea turtle Lytoloma elegans from Morocco (14.5cm long) (~66mya)

[Fossildude19]

Your Knightia eocaena is actually a Diplomystus dentatus.

 

And I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your turtle skull is a complete fabrication.

[Randyw]

Nice score on the fish! I much prefer diplos to knightias! 

[trilobites_are_awesome]

1 hour ago, GreatHoatzin said:

6. My favourite, the skull of the sea turtle Lytoloma elegans from Morocco (14.5cm long) (~66mya)

Definitely a fake.

[GreatHoatzin]

34 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said:

Your Knightia eocaena is actually a Diplomystus dentatus.

 

And I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your turtle skull is a complete fabrication.

Yikes, that is very unfortunate. Bad news is better than no news, however, so thank you!

Would it be possible for you to tell me what features show that is is fake (for future reference)?

[Fossildude19]

These are very commonly faked.
They are easily shaped, out of sand, glue, plaster of paris, and sometimes even bone bits, either fossilized or recent.

 

The matrix being so smooth and sandy is a tip off.
As well as the bits of bone showing, and obvious plaster composition of the rest of the "skull". 

See the outlined bits in red:

 

 

 

Steer clear of any Moroccan skulls or jaws unless you are sure it is real bone.

 

 

Have a read through this topic:

 

 

 

[GreatHoatzin]

44 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said:

These are very commonly faked.
They are easily shaped, out of sand, glue, plaster of paris, and sometimes even bone bits, either fossilized or recent.

 

The matrix being so smooth and sandy is a tip off.
As well as the bits of bone showing, and obvious plaster composition of the rest of the "skull". 

See the outlined bits in red:

 

 

 

Steer clear of any Moroccan skulls or jaws unless you are sure it is real bone.

 

 

Have a read through this topic:

 

 

 

This is excellent, thank you.

[Tidgy's Dad]

Do you have an age or location for the orthoconic nautiloid?