Holding a genuine fossil in one's hands is like touching a fragment of deep time.
Unfortunately, as fossil collecting becomes more and more popular, so have increased the making and selling of replicas and fakes in the trade shows.
Knowing how to identify real fossils is essential for collectors as well as anyone who appreciates genuine natural history.
Telltale Signs of Authentic Fossils
While checking out fossils for sale, keep this distinct defining characteristic in mind:
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Weight & Density: Real fossils tend to be heavier as the minerals replace organic components over time. Resin or plaster-looking-for-real-kind fossils are usually very lightweight, almost hollow.
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Texture & Surface Feel: Real fossils tend to possibly have a little gritty texture or surface due to the embedded minerals and erosion. Replicas usually appear too smooth or with a uniform finish that looks artificial.
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Natural Wear & Aging: Normal flaws include microfractures, weathering lines, and discoloration of which are very hard to reproduce credibly and often serve as good pointers to confirming a fossil's authenticity.
Want to see real examples?
Browse our Spinosaurus fossil teeth collection to explore authentic specimens.
Restoration vs. Replication
It is crucial to make the distinction between restored fossils and completely fabricated ones.
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Restoration includes minor repairs or stabilization to the genuine fossils, such as filling a natural crack or stabilizing fragile edges. A restoration is a fine enhancement preserving the integrity of the original specimen, an accepted discipline within paleontology.
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Replicas are almost always fabricated items that usually involve molds, resin, or composite materials. They are sometimes suggestive in resemblance to the real specimen, for lack of original fossil material, and sometimes they are shown as if they were actual pictures.
Understanding the distinction allows collectors to make informed decisions, mostly in high-value or rare-species cases.
How to Choose a Trustworthy Fossil Source
Protecting against fake fossils means buying from reputable dealers who prioritize transparency and education. A proper seller will include the following signs of trustworthiness:
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Certificates of Authenticity (COAs): They will state the origin and authenticity of the fossil and are issued by reputable dealers.
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Clear Multiple-Angle View Photos: Buyers are able to study surface features, signs of wear, and coloration.
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Restoration Is Disclosed: Any and all improvements or restorations to a specimen are disclosed by a good seller.
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Legal and Ethical Collection: The fossils must have been collected according to international and local laws so that they haven't been collected from protected or utterly illegal sites.
There is a very fine resource, the Smithsonian's fossil education junkyard whereby one can delve deeper into the science and ethics behind fossils.
Looking for genuine pieces?
Check out our verified Ammonite fossils or browse our rare Trilobite Fossil collection.
Trust Your Instincts and Collect with Confidence
Learning how to spot genuine fossils takes time, but a little observation works well alongside knowledge of restoration techniques, and an amateur fossil collector may be able to assemble a fairly decent and authentic collection.
If you're thinking about starting or simply augmenting your collection, then Fossil Age Minerals is right there for you, offering hand-chosen, ethically sourced, verified fossils. They serve as the link between history and discovery.