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Product Description
The CERATONURUS trilobite is somewhat similar to the Dicranurus varieties but lacks the curled "rams horns", instead, sporting long gracefully curved, long spines sweeping up from its head. Another unusual feature is the fringed free cheeks like the Koneprusia which the Dicranurus lacks. The Ceratonurus is a VERY RARE occurring spiny trilobite from the Devonian limestone of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and is found in much less numbers than Dicranurus. This eerie creature certainly must have been a site to behold slowly inching its way across the ocean floor hundreds of millions of years ago.
The most graceful Ceratonurus we have ever seen, this is a beautiful and LARGE example with high sweeping spines all fully exposed. If you are demanding only the finest, 'non-fabricated' spiny trilobite specimens in your collection then you should seriously consider this premium specimen. Just look at the front of the head - the delicate spiny cephalonic fringe is fully preserved and intact! The ORIGINAL spinesfrom this creature have been painstakingly freed from all the limestone matrix to display this bizarre creature as it was when alive. The carapace is wonderfully preserved and is a natural dark olive black color. The limestone is a natural butter yellow hue and has been carefully prepared to a stunning smooth surface with the trilobite raised up off the rock.
Using the finest modern micro-abrasive equipment and countless hours of 'nerves of steel' skill, each spine is original and natural, unlike the vast majority of spiny trilobites where the spines are fabricated from glue and resin. This example is a top choice and represents the finest Ceratonurus trilobite with GENUINE SPINES freed from their matrix.
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.