FOSSILS and PRIMITIVE HUMAN ARTIFACTS are a highly specialized area of collecting and interest.  This section addresses important topics on the commercial fossil market, collecting fossils and various topics that define and explain this unique field.  In the following paragraphs, the term FOSSILS will be used but is intended to encompass both categories of items.

Unlike more focused areas of collector interest such as classic antiquities, stamps, coins, antique furniture, automobiles, etc., the realm of collecting fossils encompasses such a broad spectrum and consequently demands a very broad knowledge and education.  Knowledge is required spanning an enormous area of science.  More importantly, a COMPLETE understanding to properly identify each specimen and to be able to recognize enhancement and fakes cannot be overemphasized!  While the collector of fossils will, in time, hopefully gain this knowledge through their own experience and education, the burden of this knowledge along with ACCURATE and HONEST representation of what is being sold is ultimately up to the FOSSIL DEALER.  Sadly, for such a vast area of world interest, FOSSIL COLLECTING exists mainly as an 'uninformed hobby'.  There is a void of sufficient and readily available reference materials that address both FOSSIL IDENTIFICATION and FOSSIL AUTHENTICATION.  This unfortunate lack of information fosters more widespread ignorance in both dealers and collectors than most other collector markets known.  In this section, we aim to highlight some of these seldom discussed topics but in no way, can this section be considered fully comprehensive.  

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER so arm yourself with as much education and experience as you can if you wish to build a collection of properly identified and authentic FOSSILS and PRIMITIVE HUMAN ARTIFACTS.

FOSSILS AS INVESTMENTS:

In the field of rare collectibles, fossils certainly qualify with an ever-increasing demand and international appeal that transcends all countries, languages and cultures.  This cannot be said for many other collectibles such as American pop culture items with respect to a Japanese or German collector audience.  With fossil collecting finally coming into the mainstream market, evidenced by the surge in major international natural history auctions, it's likely to rank amongst the most promising investments with regards to the rarest and finest examples.  Not only are deposits becoming rapidly exhausted, other factors have come into play helping make the acquisition of fresh discoveries from the ground as extinct as the fossils themselves.  This will only accelerate the rising value of the best specimens, not common commercial qualities or types.  Technological changes in machinery used in dredging and quarry operations now destroy fossils that were once found by more primitive manual labor.  Many states and entire countries are passing legislation each year banning the collecting, owning and export of formerly important market sources.  And finally, sites are being permanently destroyed by the advancement of Man with the building of new highways and other infrastructures along with new commercial and residential structures, this all on top of prime collecting sites.  What this translates to is that as more and more people each year are discovering the fine appreciation of acquiring important and rare natural history specimens, the source for these specimens is rapidly becoming depleted at an exponential speed. 

From vintage automobiles to antique weathervanes, the rare collectible market offers a haven for investing if done wisely and if placed in only the finest and rarest specimens but no venue of this field has more promise than that of collecting rare fossils.  In comparison to all other rare collectible markets, it is one of the MOST UNDERVALUED markets.  For example, while 1960's-era American muscle-cars routinely fetch prices in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, these prices are for cars that were produced by the thousands off the assembly line and only several decades ago!  This irrational run-up of collectible prices can be seen in many different fields except rare fossils.  Only recently put on the map with the advent of the Jurassic Park movies, the appreciation in price and interest of RARE fossils has only just begun.  It's a shame in one respect since by the time many collectors will catch on to what is happening, the best opportunities to acquire new material will be gone and likely, a very finite population of truly fine grade and authentic fossils will simply change hands from one collection to the other at insane prices.  The rapid emergence of fakes and fraud in the fossil market in the last decade is also a warning sign that supplies are becoming restricted. 

Despite what some scientists or 'anti-private ownership' individuals may tell you to discourage the fossil trade, the highest quality and rarest fossils DO APPRECIATE and their value goes up each and every year.  This is simple logic.  They are not making fossils any more.  Minerals, gems,  natural precious metal specimens and meteorites are still forming in the Earth or dropping from the sky as you read this yet, we see outrageous prices for this material rise every year.  Unlike these collectibles where the supply keeps growing, there are no more fossils!  There is a very finite number on the planet.  Some more rare than others but once a deposit "plays out" and is fully collected, or in some cases, is closed to the public for legal collecting, the amount of available fossil specimens to acquire suddenly ceases to grow.  This transpires while collector demand for only the finest quality specimens drives onward, forcing values and prices higher as time goes on.  In some instances, there certain kinds of fossils that outnumber collectors wanting them and you will always have an overabundance of the common quality, but generally speaking, most fossils are rare when it comes to the top grades which is why we advise "BUY THE BEST" or at least, the best you can afford. 

Stick with the best quality you can afford and you cannot go wrong.  There is a universal demand for high quality fossils and collectors exist all over the world for the best specimens.  The increasing public awareness and appreciation of our prehistoric past means that the collector market continues to INCREASE while the supplies of quality fossils continue to DECREASE.   

To recap, not ALL fossils are good investments - only the truly highest quality and rarest specimens.  This rules out many types and certainly ALL of the commercial quality fossils.  Remember, if you ever go to resell a fossil or your entire collection, it will only be desirable to a buyer if it is better material than what everyone else is currently selling!  The fastest and most promising appreciation in value will be for the unadulterated, authentic fossil specimens of the absolute finest quality and rarest types ONLY.  Invest in the BEST from a highly competent and extremely knowledgeable professional dealer who is well versed in fossil preparation, restoration and repair.  This knowledge is needed to expertly weed out the ever-increasing fakes that plague the fossil market like it does ALL rare collectible markets.  Get a guarantee in writing regarding the authenticity of the specimen and make sure the guarantee is forever and unconditional.  Nothing's worse than bequeathing your collection to a museum or family member only for them to find out you have the best collection in the world of the worst fossils!!!

WHERE WE GET OUR FOSSILS FROM:

Many people ask us where do we get our fossils from.  First of all, we DO NOT BUY FROM UNKNOWN PRIVATE PARTIES and WE DO NOT BROKER FOSSILS FOR OTHERS.  Please do not call or write about selling your fossils or asking what they are worth. We will NOT respond.  We are not an appraisal, identification or brokering service.  

We ONLY acquire specimens either from our own collecting efforts or from direct sources we know very well.  In most cases, this means the person or persons that dug or collected the fossils.  In limited cases, some fossils we offer came from a private collection.  In this case, we still know the original collector beyond and well before the transaction.  Most other dealers do almost ALL of their "blind" buying of finished, ready-to-sell fossils knowing little SPECIFIC substantive knowledge if the specimen was legally collected and to truly what degree it is repaired or restored.  At Paleo Direct, we prefer to bypass this avenue and intimately know what we sell by traveling to the source countries either collecting ourselves or directly acquiring specimens from the sites as they become discovered.  Paleo Direct also prepares many of the fossils we offer in our own lab facilities so very detailed AND ACCURATE information about what was done to the specimen is known first-hand.  As a buyer, wouldn't you want to know this?

Our method of acquisitions accomplishes several benefits.  First, it allows us to acquire much more interesting and unique specimens instead of continually offering the same "fossil show" and commercial varieties year after year.  Most truly high quality and rarer types of fossils seldom make it to the big fossil shows.  If they are really nice enough or rare in quality, these kind of fossils are usually snatched up well before they can make it to a show.  Unfortunately, this strategy of field collecting, direct overseas acquisition and specimen preparation requires frequent international travel and a full-time career dedication.  The vast majority of fossil dealers operate on a part-time basis, supplementing income from a primary career or retirement pension and therefore, cannot offer such a commitment.

In addition, Paleo Direct's practice of avoiding such "blind buying" ensures what you are buying does NOT come with any "strings attached".  If a fossil dealer does not intimately know the source of their fossils, there is no way to ensure, the fossils were legally obtained, not stolen from protected sites, government property or from another individual!  If the fossil acquired is fully prepared and ready for sale, which is the way the vast majority of other fossil dealers buy their fossils, then it becomes impossible for the dealer TO KNOW IN DETAIL WITH SPECIFICS if any repair or restoration was performed obviously, assuming it is real in the first place.  As a fossil dealer, just "passing the buck" and thinking you are off the hook by telling the customer only what "you were told" by the broker is not fair and not sufficient.  The fossil dealer MUST be fully experienced and possess extensive specific knowledge in being able to spot a fake or if a fossil has been repaired or restored.  The customer is looking up to the dealer as the expert.  After all, this is what a dealer of any market should offer their customers - honest and accurate disclosure of the item at hand.  THIS IS A FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FOSSIL DEALER TO THE CUSTOMER. 

Only the most foolish buyer with more money than brains will bypass this sound advice.  

PRICING FOSSILS:

It may seem confusing or arbitrary as to how a specific fossil is priced.  Since no two specimens are alike, minute differences can DRASTICALLY affect the value and price of a fossil.  These differences may not be readily seen to the casual observer or neophyte fossil collector but to the market and discerning collector, subtle features DO make a difference and it is here where prices can vary dramatically!  This is the case with EVERY type of fossil specimen.  The presence of certain features that are not normally seen in typical specimens can cause a certain higher quality fossil to sell for MANY TIMES what hoards of the same type of specimen normally sells for.  This is a simple example of supply and demand.  The number collectors that want the BEST fossils far outnumber the quantity of truly top-grade specimens.  There are "tractor-trailer loads" of your average grades for every superb quality NATURAL specimen.  Whether you are talking about shark teeth, ammonites, fish fossils, flint artifacts or anything for that matter, this is always true in this business.  

Years ago, we decided to focus and base our business model on providing only the higher quality material.  An extraordinary amount of effort is required to do this from locating and collecting all the way to preparing the "best" specimens.  Naiveté on the customer's behalf sometimes makes it hard to compete with a dealer selling a much lower quality specimen where it is being falsely represented as NO RESTORATION, NO REPAIR, ALL NATURAL or it is not from the source or is not even the species or type described.  We see this ALL the time and it is disheartening.  Nevertheless, we feel that if a collector focuses on QUALITY, the collection and hobby will be much more satisfying as the years go by.  While we believe there is a place for the common specimen, we have decided long ago it only makes sense to offer and promote the better quality and more rare specimens.  If we seem high priced compared to other dealers, analyze what it is they are offering.  Is it honestly in the same category as a specimen we are offering?  Are there ample high quality images for you to examine what you are comparing?  Has the specimen been fully discussed, properly identified and has restoration or repair been honestly disclosed?  A nick on a tooth, the presence of repair or restoration, artificially improving the specimen, etc., are all examples of a factor that can make a seemingly similar fossil worth only pennies to the dollar.  The demand for the absolute BEST quality and RAREST fossils is insatiable and when we offer such a specimen, it is priced accordingly.   

FOSSIL FRAUD:

Only the most experienced fossil dealers who possess necessary test and preparation equipment and who are EXTENSIVELY EXPERIENCED WITH ALL TECHNIQUES OF FOSSIL RESTORATION AND FABRICATION should be trusted to know the difference when it comes to fake fossils of ANY source or type!  Very, very few fossil dealers have any more knowledge in this than the very customers that rely on them!  Do NOT be afraid to ask your fossil dealer about his or her PERSONAL and immediate experience in fossil preparation, restoration and fabrication.  If they tell you they do not PERSONALLY possess MANY YEARS OF EXTENSIVE first-hand experience in artistic techniques and application in fossil fabrication and restoration, and that they are relying on THEIR sources, avoid these dealers at all costs!!!  These fossil dealers likely have several specimen in their inventory that they have no clue as to their true authenticity regardless of any guarantee or assurances that they will provide you.

Ask any scientist or museum curator and they will tell you.  Fake fossils have become such a problem in today's commercial fossil market.  It is of utmost importance for both dealers and collectors to be able to determine if a fossil has been faked or parts of it fabricated.  We have dedicated a separate section on this important topic beyond the introduction you see here.  You can see the entire section by clicking the button below.

Since there are no fossil authentication services, no respected dealer guilds to support, and no books on the market explaining how to detect fake or restored fossils, the commercial fossil market requires the practice of CAVEAT EMPTOR, or "let the buyer beware".  The fossil business is increasingly being plagued each year with better and more advanced fakes finding their way into the marketplace.  This can be confirmed by anyone in the paleontological scientific community!  Add to this the extensive knowledge a dealer MUST possess in order to properly identify their fossils and recognize fake specimens and you can see that the sale of fossils is not a task to be taken lightly.  

A FOSSIL DEALER KNOWLEDGEABLE IN FOSSIL RESTORATION, REPAIR AND FABRICATION IS YOUR PRIMARY DEFENSE AND BEST INSURANCE POLICY when it comes to building a fine quality fossil collection of accurately identified and authentic fossils.  What determines a "knowledgeable" dealer?  The staff at Paleo Direct is fully experienced in fossil preparation, repair and restoration.  To be clear - we don't just KNOW how it's done - WE DO IT.  It's not enough to brag about what equipment you have if you really just show it off for promotional purposes and fire it up once in a while.  We all KNOW how to use the fully equipped lab we operate on our premises.  If we do not prepare a specimen that we sell, the extensive years of experience in fossil preparation allows us to confidently assess a fossil to determine and disclose to the customer what exactly has been done to it.  

We feel that the only fossil dealer that can be relied on when it comes to this topic (assuming the dealer is honest to begin with!) is a dealer who PERSONALLY knows AND HAS CONSIDERABLE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE in actually preparing, repairing and restoring fossils.  This excludes some dealers but many of the techniques used today to forge and fabricate fossils have become so sophisticated that without this experience it becomes dangerous "guesswork".  Many dealers have been sold forgeries by their suppliers who they thought were their "friends" only to find out the truth at the expense of their customers and reputation.  Stay away from brokers and stick with a professional supplier who has the ACTUAL fossil preparation hours under their belt if you want peace of mind.  Without this, you are trusting a stranger who is also trusting a stranger or "friend".  Sure, most fossil dealers will offer unconditional guarantees and a refund if a fossil is found to be misrepresented but don't you want to KNOW what you have without the fear of uncertainty?  It's good to check up and get second opinions on even dealers you know but you should NOT have to do that with EVERY purchase you make.  We at Paleo Direct encourage our customers to acquire second opinions FROM THE SCIENTIFIC OR SCHOLASTIC COMMUNITY.  Obviously, from the massive amount of information we provide on this website, we believe the more you know, the better position you will be in. 

AN HONEST BUT UNINFORMED FOSSIL DEALER IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN A DISHONEST FOSSIL DEALER.  The end result is the same - you will not get what you are told you are getting but worse yet, a seemingly honest dealer does not give you any "red flags" or negative vibe so you drop your guard and in their ignorance, they sell a fake or misrepresented fossil. 

As the customer, your ultimate best defense will come with time.  It is EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION!!!!  Learn all you can about what you collect, why it is rare, what makes it rare, what it looks like, how to spot fakes or restoration and what is the proper identification of different specimens.  If you actively purchase fossils from various sources and you do not possess this knowledge, you WILL get burned, guaranteed!  It's only a matter of time and it will be a costly education!  Remember, in the realm of collecting fossils or primitive human artifacts, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.  Besides, you will gain enlightenment and a far greater appreciation for this hobby and your fossil collection if you know all about it.

If in doubt, the best unbiased advice you can seek for a second opinion is to ask a paleontologist or related scientist affiliated with a local museum.  Some will be happy to help.  Another valuable source is a professor within a university geology, biology or ideally, paleontology department.  While they may not be fully aware of techniques for faking fossils, they WILL know what the real specimen should look like or what it may be if identification is an issue.

Where there are specific issues with specific types of specimens we offer, we try to point out what to look for in the individual listing or page on this website.  We will be happy to help answer any questions on this topic BUT.... we will NOT point out bad dealers or appraise or identify your fossils for you.  That was the responsibility of the dealer you bought them from.  Go to them or have a member of the scientific or scholastic community help you.  

For more information on FAKE FOSSILS click the button below

WHY COLLECT FOSSILS?:

FOSSIL Collecting is a highly rewarding and educational passion.  Unlike the mindless collecting mentality of "collecting just to collect", building a fine quality fossil collection will give a lifetime of pleasure and offers a depth of satisfaction that most other pursuits fail to fill.  Each and every acquisition is a mini-education and whether you collect across the broad spectrum of prehistoric life or focus on a specific type, the end result will be the same - pride in the knowledge gained and a meaningful understanding and awareness that goes way beyond formal education.

A personal fossil collection can transport one back in time and impact those that might never have exposure to real fossils, up close and personal.  If you share your collection for others to view, who knows who you may be influencing or exposing to the fascinating world of paleontology.  Private fossil collections offer us an appreciation of prehistory in a way that museums have failed miserably to provide.  The lack of fascinating and tangible museum exhibits showcasing genuine fossils has directly resulted in waning public interest and financial support for these institutions.  Regardless of how small your private collection may be, showcasing your own genuine fossils or artifacts of primitive humans in either a home or office setting, would not only make for an impressive display but will offer a rare experience for most that come in contact with them.   

WHY COLLECT PRIMITIVE HUMAN ARTIFACTS?:

PRIMITIVE HUMAN ARTIFACTS are unique in that while a fossil puts us in touch with prehistoric plant and animal life, artifacts from primitive humans add further depth to our experience with the past.  We are talking about holding in our hand a stone tool that another man or woman made tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of years ago.  You can hold the tool just they way they did, feel the tool in the exact way they designed it to feel.  If it is comfortable or fits a certain way, it is because an early human designed it that way.  You are experiencing the product of a human mind FROM LONG AGO!  This is a transcending experience to many.  

Human history on this earth is a speck compared to all other life-forms.  While many tools were left behind from the existence of prehistoric humans, we refrain from selling the rarest specimens, reserving these acquisitions for a private museum collection we will exhibit in the future.  Furthermore, we DO NOT sell, promote or encourage the sale of HUMAN FOSSILS.  Please do not ask us for these.  If you see any for sale elsewhere, consider them fake as they most certainly are.  All human fossils ever discovered from PRIMITIVE HUMANS could fit in the bed of a pick-up truck.

LEGALITY OF FOSSILS FOR SALE and COLLECTING FOSSILS:

Many people are unaware they have the ability to purchase and own AUTHENTIC FOSSILS.  Aside from a few countries in the world, private ownership of genuine fossils and primitive man artifacts are completely legal.  In some instances, specific countries address the difference of private ownership of VERTEBRATE FOSSILS and INVERTEBRATE FOSSILS in cases where the fossils originate from the country in which the collector resides.  For instance, ALL FOSSILS from Italy are illegal to privately own if you reside in Italy.  All VERTEBRATE FOSSILS from Canada are illegal to privately own, sell or collect. 

Generally speaking, all fossils are LEGAL to privately own in the United States and most developed countries of the Free World provided they were legally collected if they are specimens originating in the country they are ultimately owned.  In the United States, you cannot go out and privately collect and own DINOSAUR FOSSILS taken from federal land but if the land is privately owned and permission is given by the landowner, the same fossils are perfectly legal to own, collect or sell.  This is where it is extremely important for buyers to KNOW and trust the reputability and professional standing of the dealer from which they acquire their specimens.  The patronage of prominent and professional suppliers is of utmost importance to not only ensure you are getting accurately represented fossils with regards to authenticity and restoration but more importantly, that you are spending your hard-earned money on a specimen that was legally acquired from private land or not stolen from a museum or a private party. 

Paleo Direct, Inc. only sells AUTHENTIC fossils and ones which are legal to own.  Every fossil and primitive human artifact we sell is guaranteed for life to be authentic and as described.  Every specimen purchased comes with our certificate of authenticity providing history about the specimen and where it was found.