FINEST LONG-SPINED SPINY QUADROPS TRILOBITE WITH ALL SPINES EXPOSED *TRX502

Product Description

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The  QUADROPS (aka PHILONYX) trilobite is an awesome, bizarre and highly-prized trilobite species with its strange shovel-like four-forked protrusion off the front of the cephalon (head).  It has been suggested that this appendage was used to root up food from the prehistoric ocean floor. 

Painstakingly prepared under a microscope to extract all tiny dorsal spines, genal spines and the four-forked head process, and expose them free from the matrix, this QUADROPS (formerly Philonyx) trilobite is a MUST HAVE for any serious collector that demands the best.  It is truly a breath-taking example and offers a rare opportunity to acquire not only a genuine Quadrops, but one with a genuine fully intact quad-fork rostral process and  ALL dorsal spines AUTHENTIC and exposed free from the rock matrix!  ALL spines running down the back along with BOTH genal spines and the primary head horn are COMPLETELY FREE-STANDING and floating off the matrix.  BOTH eyes are well preserved with genuine multi-lens detail.  All body side spines are present and not deformed or sheared.  Color is completely natural and is a charcoal black.  The hallmark of the QUADROPS trilobite is its COMPLETE 4-shovel rostral process.  In many cases, this is damaged or missing in preparation.   

This is one of the most delicate of the spiny trilobites and certainly one of the most difficult!  We are proud to offer such a fine quality, genuine example with such time-intensive preparation work done in the lab.

WARNING:   There are several different grades of spiny trilobites on the market now with seemingly identical and very convincing appearances.  Fakers have mastered producing 100% complete replicas of trilobites  with free-standing spines.  There are also classes of trilobites offered from the source that have varying degrees of fabrication such as a genuine trilobite but with all spines being fabricated.  Prices generally will reflect the quality as the source preparators and sellers know the global prices and charge accordingly for the different degrees of authenticity of their specimens.  Nevertheless, price should not be your only guide.  Often, features such as thicker than normal spines and a dull, almost chalky appearance without any natural satin luster to the creature are some obvious signs of fakes.   Know how to tell a genuine from a fake by reading this and rely ONLY on established professional sellers who have active experience in fossil preparation and will offer you an unconditional LIFETIME guarantee IN WRITING of the authenticity of the specimen.