How To Tell If They Are Faking It....

  A recent surge in the popularity of fossils has readily included the wonderful Devonian trilobites coming out of Morocco.  The variety of material is so vast, that two or three new species are discovered each year and the fabulous preservation of fine details entices even the most zealous of collectors.  But the discovery of  "fake" trilobites being sold on the market as real fossils has left a black cloud over the industry in Morocco and a bad taste in the mouths of buyers.  It is our intention to explain a bit about this industry, show you exactly how a "fake" trilobite is made, and offer five signs to look for that might indicate a fake trilobite.

  The trilobite preparation industry in Morocco emerged from the pairing of rich fossil resources in a land filled with people desperate to make a living.  Uneducated desert inhabitants quickly learned the value of unearthing these treasures and selling them to foreigners.  The lack of formal education did not hamper the Moroccan drive for commerce and many locals were quickly self - taught in the basics of trilobite preparation, including simple ways to repair the broken or missing pieces of trilobites.  Soon the industry grew to include the casting of trilobites all together.  The following pictures were taken with permission of one such local company who prepares trilobites and other fossils using traditional Moroccan tools (see photo below), and casts Devonian trilobites as well.  These photos were taken for the purpose of consumer education and not condemnation - for this company in particular sells their cast products as reproductions and not as authentic fossils.

Step 1 - Establishing the Base

  With a few simple tools, and about 45 minutes, a cast of a dicranurus trilobite was made for us on demand.  The first step is to take a small piece of commonly found rock and cut and smooth it into a matrix base on which the fake trilobite will be created.  Notice the working conditions.

Step 2 - Coloring the Mold

  The poor quality silicon mold made previously from a real dicranurus is colored with black shoe polish.  This is what will color the cast trilobite when the mold is filled.

Step 3 - Spine Mixture

  The mixture which will make the horns and genal spines is made from a fine rock powder mixed with an adhesive.

Step 4 - Filling Spines

  After adding a catalyst to the mixture, the worker fills the genal spine and horn area of the mold with the mixture using a old bicycle spoke as a tool.

Step 5 - Body Mixture

  He then creates a thicker paste out of sediment, car cement (mastrofer), and adhesive to use for the rest of the trilobite body.  This compound is also used to make a layer of fake matrix on top of the original rock.

Step 6 - Compaction

  Taking the filled mold and original matrix, he will compress them for about 20 minutes.

Step 7 - Trimming the Excess

  While the cast is setting, the worker trims the excess paste from around the edges of the mold.

Step 8 - New Trilobite

  After only 20 minutes of pressure, the mold is removed to reveal the completed cast.

Step 9 - Adding the Finishing "Touches"

  Using a nail while the paste is still somewhat soft, the worker makes scratches onto the casted matrix to forge marks similar to those made during traditional Moroccan preparation of authentic trilobites. This is also to disguise and blend the casted matrix with the original rock.  Once the material hardens, he will use a nail and hammer to finish making the marks.

Step 10 - One Hour Developing

  The completed cast is shown here as sold.  This workshop sells their casts as reproductions to retailers.    We feel it is the lack of proper business ethics in the retailers who then sell these casts as real which perpetuates the doubtful reputation of Moroccan fossils and those of us who sell them.  The claim of "not knowing" they were sold fake material does not excuse the retailers from their responsibility.  In any industry, it is the obligation of the retailer to know their product and their suppliers well enough to know fake from authentic. There is a legitimate need for casted trilobites in several circumstances- for example in classrooms where study and intense handling of authentic trilobites is not practical. The key is the merchandise should be sold AS CASTS and not under the false impression they are real.  In an attempt to help alleviate this problem, we offer you five techniques to help you identify fake trilobites before you buy them as authentic.  These may not be fool proof, but they will certainly get you on the right track!

5 Guidelines to Check for Fake Trilobites

1. Look for tiny holes resulting from popped air bubbles in the "trilobite".  During the casting process, air will typically be compressed out of the paste and leave behind these tiny holes in the cast.
2. Look for the separation between the original matrix and the casted matrix.  This is not always clear and will be hidden with multiple scratches with a nail.
3. Look for too many scratches on the matrix.  In general, it is the common prep quality of Moroccan trilobites that are casted.  When the local workers prep authentic trilobites, they add (for some reason) nail scratches to the matrix as a finishing touch.  With casted trilobites, there are WAY more scratches than seen on the other common prep quality trilobites.
4. Look for a lack of fine details preserved on the trilobite.  With wear from usage, the details of the mold such as the tubercles (bumps) on the glabella are quickly lost and you end up with completely smooth trilobites.  Be careful though, not all trilobites are bumpy to begin with, so it helps to know your species.
5. You have seen the same bug, same size, same position, possibly even same body defects too many times at too many dealers.  More often than not, any dealer who has 20 of the exact same trilobite shoved in a box under the table is not selling authentic fossils.  This is where it helps to use common sense.

  Other techniques have also been successfully implemented in the past.  Lighting the trilobite on fire or cutting it in half are some of the more drastic, though none the less effective, ways of proving authenticity.  Your best bet is to buy from a reputable dealer or someone you have experience with, and be sure and check out the exchange or return policy before you buy.  One last bit of advice... if the price seems too good to be true - it probably is! 

  There are many wonderful trilobites on the market from Morocco and many reputable dealers selling quality fossils.  Don't be scared off by the fanatic, sweeping claims of "All fossils from Morocco are fake".  Moroccan fossils are a joy to collect and can be a terrific addition to your collection.  Happy Hunting!!