How to assess a fossil tooth
Exact photographs, measurements, condition notes and specimen-specific provenance matter more than a general sales claim. Use these checks before buying.
- 01
Start with the exact piece
Confirm that the photographs show the specimen being offered, not a representative example. Ask for measured dimensions and views of the tip, base and every side.
- 02
Inspect repairs and joins
Look for adhesive seams, filler, an added root or differences in colour and texture. Stabilisation and restoration can be acceptable when they are described clearly.
- 03
Check attribution and provenance
Ask what features support the identification and what record belongs to this exact specimen. An isolated tooth may only support a broader attribution, and a regional association is not specimen provenance.
Claims that need more evidence
- Only representative photographs, with no views of the exact piece.
- A joined root, filled enamel or assembled matrix that is not disclosed.
- A very precise species or locality with no specimen-specific basis.
- A certificate presented as a substitute for photographs, condition notes and provenance.
A restored fossil is not automatically a poor specimen. The important distinction is whether consolidation, filling, joins and replacement material are disclosed for the exact piece.
Check the rules that apply to the purchase
Rules for collecting, exporting and importing fossils vary by place and can change. Ask the seller for the documents attached to the exact specimen and check the requirements that apply at origin and at your destination before buying.