New Members Azbantium Posted August 13, 2019 New Members Share Posted August 13, 2019 Hello everyone, First of all I must say that I’m new to buying fossils and that I know nothing about Ammonites. Recently I saw this Ammonite laying around in a small home decor shop. I immediately loved it, so I decided to purchase it. However, I’ve got a suspicion that this one is fake (or at least heavily sculpted), for the following reasons: 1. It was quite cheap. The certified ones I’ve seen on the internet (same size, same price) are much less detailed than this one. 2. It has ‘flaking’ layers and some cracks (see close up pictures) 3. It just looks a little bit too perfect compared with the ones I’ve seen on the internet. I wouldn’t really mind if it were fake, because it just looks really cool. But I’m really curious what you people think. Is this real, fake or sculpted? Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Rico Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 Looks like an nice real Perisphinctes to me from Madagascar. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldigger Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 Yes it is real and exactly as described by Bobby. These are very common from that locality and therefore not worth someone's time to try to fake. Here is a shot of one of mine from the cabinet. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyw Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 +1 for Real 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members Azbantium Posted August 15, 2019 Author New Members Share Posted August 15, 2019 Thank you very much for your replies. It makes it even better knowing that it is a real one. Also thank you for the background information about the place of origin, I was also unaware of this. I really appreciate your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 Yes it's real, and fortunately it escaped the typical treatment that exported Madagascan ammonites like this one get: tops of the ribs ground down with a polishing wheel, and the aperture cut off square. I would have snapped it up if I had seen it (unless overpriced, but it sounds like you got a good deal). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 6 hours ago, Wrangellian said: the typical treatment that exported Madagascan ammonites I wonder how many fossils they would sell if they found and kept them complete with no polishing or anything? I would be a buyer for sure. RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam86cucv Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 I bought one last year for a nice price. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilNerd Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 10 hours ago, RJB said: I wonder how many fossils they would sell if they found and kept them complete with no polishing or anything? I would be a buyer for sure. RB Put me on that list of buyers. I’d rather have half of a fossil with bits of matrix on it than a “whole” composite or a badly prepped one. Nice ammonite btw. Looks real to me and as Wrangellian said, not heavily altered. The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. -Neil deGrasse Tyson Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. -Bill Nye (The Science Guy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 14 hours ago, RJB said: I wonder how many fossils they would sell if they found and kept them complete with no polishing or anything? I would be a buyer for sure. RB Indeed, but I gather they have 'value added' laws for exports, that force them to do stuff to fossils that need no treatment at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members Azbantium Posted August 17, 2019 Author New Members Share Posted August 17, 2019 On 16-8-2019 at 7:55 AM, Wrangellian said: I would have snapped it up if I had seen it (unless overpriced, but it sounds like you got a good deal). This one cost me around 20 Euros, which I considered a bargain (at least from what I’ve seen). I’ve seen smaller, less well preserved ones go for twice te price and sometimes even more. So that’s why I was skeptical at first. It’s a shame these beautiful things usually get ‘improved’ though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 I got mine for less though it was smaller like Adam's specimen, and it might be worth that, or more, to get an unadulterated example, especially at that size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members Azbantium Posted August 18, 2019 Author New Members Share Posted August 18, 2019 16 hours ago, Wrangellian said: .... and it might be worth that, or more In The Netherlands we say; ‘it is worth what the fool is willing to pay for it’ ;-) Thank you very mucht for insight by the way! Really interesting to learn a bit more about Ammonites/ fossils and where to look out for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldigger Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 38 minutes ago, Azbantium said: we say; ‘it is worth what the fool is willing to pay for it’ Hey, don't let that saying get around or we'll all look like fools!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 Far too late for that, Doren! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David in Japan Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 On 2019/8/17 at 3:01 AM, Adam86cucv said: Wow, this one would be big if one whorl wasn't missing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~〇~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Warmest greetings from Kumamoto、 Japan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldigger Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 I think I picked up the one I have pictured above for no more than $10 in Tucson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Rico Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 14 hours ago, Azbantium said: In The Netherlands we say; ‘it is worth what the fool is willing to pay for it’ ;-) Thank you very mucht for insight by the way! Really interesting to learn a bit more about Ammonites/ fossils and where to look out for. I think Perisphinctes are among the nicest ammonites and can be preserved incredible very well. They are inexpensive because they are very abundant and sale in every Museum gift shop world wide. I have a few and one really large specimen that Mrs R got me for Christmas but that one is not well preserved . Cheers Bobby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now