Buying genuine fossils online can be a difficult process, this guide explains some of the sings collectors use to help identify genuine dinosaur fossils and how we assess the fossils we sell, We do also have regular assistance from a couple of qualified palaeontologists for the more technical parts of assessing our fossils we sell.

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No single test proves authenticity the guide below is based on our experience buying and selling fossils together with advice from qualified palaeontologists. Other experts may sometimes reach different conclusions or have different opinions.  ​​

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Provenance: 

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This is one of the most important factors to help determine if a fossil is genuine especially if its a species specific fossil you are buying. For example if someone had a triceratops fossil for sale and they said it had been discovered in the Cambrian fossil deposits of England, this would be extremely unlikely as the deposit is millions of years older than the species and the area has never produced an evidence of any triceratops species. But if it was reported to have been found in Hell Creek, USA in Cretaceous deposits then this is a very likely scenario and helps back up the claim. If the person has any photos of the fossil being found in the area with accurate photos of the same fossil in question then this is a very strong bit of evidence that the fossil is genuine. Unfortunately things are rarely that easy when it comes to fossils they are often passed through many hands and through many countries before they come into a collection. But one of the first things we do is if we are offered a fossil that we are not sure of its origin is we research if the species in question has been found in the location claimed. 

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Fossilisation evidence: 

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Fossilised bone is bone that has become mineralised due to millions of years of fossilisation this is also one of the key factors to look at if purchasing bones, claws and teeth as they all have patters than match mineralisation where the minerals have replaced the original bone structures. Fossilised dinosaur bones often have a porous structure to them if you can see inside the bone or through any breaks and cracks in the bone. Vascular canals are often visible in some fossils where blood vessels would have been. Fossilised bones are usually heavier than non fossilised bones especially on certain species of dinosaur and depending on how its been preserved. The surface on most dinosaur bone is also usually quite smooth with many weathered cracks but this will depend on the condition of the bone. If the fossil is in matrix this can also be a helpful indicator as the sediments colure or structure can often be matched to a fossil site or location. The colure of the fossil can also help, fossils from Niger, West Africa usually have a much darker almost black colure than the red or white coloured material from the Kem Kem beds of Morocco. But this will of course depend on which layer or location within a fossil site it was found in as these can change depending on what minerals were present during fossilisation. Fossils in general should have damages and repairs, they have been through millions of years of changing conditions, been dug up, often transported a long way from the dig site and then sometimes prepped and then sold and often transported many more times. This means there is a very high chance of fossils getting naturally damaged and accidentally damaged. There are cases where fossil are found in almost pristine conditions but these usually command very high price tags and would still typically show at least a few hair line cracks or weathering patterns. Anatomy is also a very good thing to be aware of, although it can be a complicated subject we tend to look at some of the basic anatomy structures of a bone if we are lucky enough that they are still present or not eroded these can help allot in verifying genuine fossils and verifying that they are indeed dinosaur and sometime it helps with species identification.  

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Too good to be true: 

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This is might sound an obvious one but it really is in general a very good rule to follow. If someone offers an extremely rare fossil in immaculate condition with no damages or repair for a cheap price it wold definitely warrant allot of questions on why its cheap, how it was obtained and if there are any reports of fossils like it ever being found or for sale in the past.   

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Research and get independent advice: 

This feeds into our next tip, do lots of research if your unsure. If possible find photos of similar fossils and compare their structure and composition. If you find no one has ever found a certain piece of dinosaur limb then you are either getting a very good deal or it may not be what it seems and again warrants further research.

Don't be afraid to ask around, a good fossil dealer should usually have no problem with someone asking a verified professional for a second opinion on a fossil. We would never have a problem with a someone showing a photo of one of our fossils to a neutral qualified palaeontologist or a neutral person of good knowledge for a second opinion. Just remember with fossils there are always lots of different opinions and theories you can often ask two palaeontologists the same question and get two different answers as allot of the time information on a species or fossil is still incomplete and under debate due to regular emerging evidence as new fossils are discovered all the time. Also be aware of neutrality when buying form anyone, if someone says they are a palaeontologist and guarantee something they are selling I would still do some research from independent sources online or if your lucky enough to know any other palaeontologists its worth getting a second opinion if possible. Sometimes its not even about dishonesty sometimes another person comes up with a theory or idea that leads you to discover an interesting fact or theory about the fossil itself, it could mean maybe it matches very closely to a newly discovered species or someone might suggest its from a juvenile of the species in question.  

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Tools: 

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There are a few tools you can use, the first is a simple decent magnifying glass. This can be used to clearly see micro cracks, glue lines, occasionally interesting details like bite marks on bones, on teeth it can be used to help match serrations to a certain species. UV light is another handy tool, it helps highlight any potential resins or cements used in restoring a fossil. These will sometimes stand out in a different colure to the natural bone or material. A microscope can also be a handy tool if you want a closer look at the details or maybe a very small dinosaur tooth or bone. 

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FAQ: 

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Are repaired fossils still genuine? 

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Yes absolutely. Nearly all fossils are repaired and prepared in some way. Providing it is clearly and honestly described, fossils often have stabilisation such as cementing, B-72 a liquid preservative that is easily reversible to prevent fossils from falling apart and many other methods. Most methods actually help preserve the very delicate fossil providing they are noted and honestly sold there is no issue for most people if there has been some form of repair. Any known repairs, restoration or reconstruction should always be disclosed by the seller to the buyer. 

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Are all Moroccan fossils fake? 

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While Morocco is known for producing some fake and heavily restored fossils, it is also one of the worlds richest fossil producing regions and the vast majority of fossils offered by reputable dealers are genuine. Always buy from a trusted source and research before purchasing. We only source our fossils from trusted suppliers most of them being UK fossil wholesalers with extensive knowledge of the Moroccan fossil markets and Moroccan fossil dealers and are also trained palaeontologists.   

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Do all genuine fossils come with certificates? 

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While a number of shops provide certificates there is actually no governing neutral body for fossil authenticity so they are effectively an opinion. We do not provide certificates in that sense but we do provide our money back guarantee of authenticity. Please see our full terms for further details.  

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Do fossils have cracks and damages? 

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Generally speaking yes, they do and should have some form of weathering or damages. They are after all millions of years old and have gone through allot of time, weather and preparation. 

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Some dinosaur fossils are cheap dose that mean they are fake? 

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No not at all, some fossils especially shed teeth are often found in great numbers, dinosaurs and other creatures regularly shed their teeth so even if fossilisation is relatively rare, based on the time span of millions of years of millions of animals shedding millions of teeth even a low percentage of fossilised teeth soon adds up to allot of teeth being fossilised. Some cheaper teeth may have more repairs or restoration but this is clearly stated in the description and reflected on the price by Underground fossils. Quality and the amount of repairs and any restoration are also a factor and if the fossil can be from a confirmed dinosaur species that usually increases the price over an unidentified species.   

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At Underground fossils every specimen is sourced through reputable suppliers, often purchased from palaeontologists, honestly described and backed by our authenticity guarantee. Whether you are buying your first fossil or adding to an established collection, taking time to research the fossil, its provenance and the seller will always help you make an informed purchase. At Underground fossils we are committed to honest descriptions, transparent restoration disclosure and backed by our authenticity guarantee. Please see full terms and conditions under our full policy page. 

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