Fake Zilchovaspis trilobite from Morocco?

[ScrungusGrungus]

A Zilchovaspis trilobite from Morocco that I have an interest in purchasing from a local rock/gem/fossil shop. My knowledge on trilobites is very limited and I'm ccurious if it's a fabrication or has been heavily restored at all. Took the best photos I could while looking at it, if better photos are needed I can ask to see it again. Any opinions on its authenticity are much appreciated along with ant tips/tricks on how to identify fake trilobites for future reference, thanks!

 

 curi

[Kane]

Eyes look good, discovery crack is there. Perhaps some minor resto in spots, but if so it seems very tastefully done.

[ScrungusGrungus]

12 hours ago, Kane said:

Eyes look good, discovery crack is there. Perhaps some minor resto in spots, but if so it seems very tastefully done.

Thank you so much for your insight! If I may ask really quick, what is and what is the significance of a "discovery crack" and why are the eyes a different color from the fossil/matrix? 

[LordWampa]

This kind of trilobites are discovered by cracking a rock, seeing if there's a trilobite, then glueing the rock back together and preparing it. So it's expected to see a crack that goes through the trilobite. The 100% fake Moroccan trilobites will not have that crack. The eyes being a different color I can't say more than something that happened during fossilization and it's not the first time I have seen this.

[crinus]

Here is a picture of a Moroccan trilobite as found. The cross section is what you see.  As stated, you glue the two piece back together and  work you way down the the fossil.

Joe

[ScrungusGrungus]

7 hours ago, LordWampa said:

This kind of trilobites are discovered by cracking a rock, seeing if there's a trilobite, then glueing the rock back together and preparing it. So it's expected to see a crack that goes through the trilobite. The 100% fake Moroccan trilobites will not have that crack. The eyes being a different color I can't say more than something that happened during fossilization and it's not the first time I have seen this.

 

2 hours ago, crinus said:

Here is a picture of a Moroccan trilobite as found. The cross section is what you see.  As stated, you glue the two piece back together and  work you way down the the fossil.

Joe

 

A big thanks to both of you! I'd never really known the process of how the find/prep these larger 3-D trilobites. The only ones I've had in my collection are the flattened ones from the Wheeler Shale in Utah; so I really do appreciate the information!

[ScrungusGrungus]

Another question I have is what is the name of the rock layer this trilobite was found in?

[Kane]

That might be tricky as it does occur in the Maider Group and the Anti-Atlas mountains. Lebrun has an excellent book on Moroccan trilobites if you can find it.

 

Having prepared a few trilobites from there, I can tell you from experience it isn't easy (to do well). 

[Fitch1979]

This looks a very good one to me..would assume a bit of coloring on the back and finish with soap to have it shining as this. 

 

Good piece!

[ScrungusGrungus]

On 7/13/2024 at 11:37 AM, Kane said:

That might be tricky as it does occur in the Maider Group and the Anti-Atlas mountains. Lebrun has an excellent book on Moroccan trilobites if you can find it.

 

Having prepared a few trilobites from there, I can tell you from experience it isn't easy (to do well). 

Thank you, again, and that's very good to know. And I know what you mean, I've seen some ROUGH looking Moroccan trilobites out there.