Is That Fossil Fake? Points to Look at Before You Purchase It!

Many tests, such as acid tests, X-rays, and radiometric dating, can be used to verify whether a fossil, whether it is dinosaur bones, teeth, or claws, or any other fossil, is genuine. However, for a fossil collector, having hands-on experience with such pricey techniques is nearly impossible and prohibitively expensive. So, what should you do if you want to know whether the fossil of a dinosaur or other species you're about to buy is genuine or not? To assist you, we've included a few pointers to consider:

Physical Properties -  It is critical to pay close attention to surface characteristics. Any differences in texture, substance, bone pores, grains, or even air scribe lines could suggest that the fossil isn't genuine. Fossils are often constructed of densely crushed rock. It's possible that a very light specimen might not be a rock. Also, before buying a dinosaur or other animal fossil, check to see if the color is consistent. Color and texture changes can indicate places that need to be repaired or restored. Also, if a specimen appears to be too perfect, you should ask a lot of questions about it. Fossils are found and retrieved from geological formations and date back millions of years. The best specimens usually sustain a little bit of damage. Always look for a reliable dealer who can answer your inquiries, provide certificates of authenticity, and provide a money-back guarantee.

Price - The price of some rare extinct species might exceed thousands of dollars. When a seller offers a significantly cheaper price than the competition, it should raise suspicions about whether the specimen is genuine. Check for unusually cheap pricing before blindly pursuing any good deal.

Provenance -The information written on a fossil is sometimes more precious than the fossil itself. It not only provides vital information for the collector but also aids in the authentication of the item. This answers certain questions, such as whether the seller/finder visited the location or had it prepared in a lab. When the vendor mentions and certifies a track on the record, there is less opportunity for skepticism.

Context - As any fossil collector knows, soft tissue rarely survives, but there is a lot that draws people in. A seller that has a large number of identical specimens is most likely to fabricate them. Keep in mind that each fossil is one-of-a-kind.

Damage -Look for signs of damage, such as a hairline crack across the fossil or a matrix filling in an area of the fossil. Many times, diggers utilize damaging methods to recover fossils from a hard rock while looking. However, this is not a perfectly reliable means of determining whether or not the fossil is genuine.

If your collection is lacking in dinosaur fossils, look into several expert vendor sites online where you will find only real, high-quality fossils for sale.