China has produced a wealth of amazingly well preserved fossils, including the very popular Triassic reptile - Keichousaurus hui and the Cretaceous dinosaur Psittacosaurus meileyingensis.

Both species were highly abundant in life and were uniquely preserved as a result of volcanic activity and ash deposition - consequently many fossilized specimens are excavated.

Unfortunately Chinese artisans have been busy producing fake versions of K. hui, turtles, birds, tortoise, mammal skulls, dragon flies, frogs, dinosaur egg etc. Ranging from appallingly obvious to good enough to fool experts - when considering purchasing a fossil (of any species) from the region, extreme caution is required.

Fakes are often crudely made from a plastic mould, glued to a slab of rock and cement dusted over the fossil to age and cover the join (see below).

Others are carved into the matrix - often poor anatomical knowledge betrays the 'fossil' which then looks physiologically impossible, asymmetrical or bears little credible resemblance to the genuine article (see below - this scores as both anatomical and carved).

Frequently one whole fossil is created by using bits of several other fossils (this particularly applies to valuable trilobite species from Morocco, where some fossil sites are virtually worked out - bits of an expensive species will be pooled by numerous artisans to make one trilobite - the profit is then shared).

Resin is a popular medium from which fakes are made - take a look at the crocodile below - again from China (also produced in Morocco) - this is pure resin fabrication.

Resin turtle and tortoise heads can also be added to a genuine fossil to increase its 'value'. The turtle below is all resin.

The Triassic reptile K. hui is a favourite of Chinese artisans to fake - many offered direct from mainland China are fakes. Below are fake K. hui - scores as plastic mold, anatomically incorrect, pairing (see further in text below). 

Others, while genuine (yet may be composite - made from several specimens), have an extortionate shipping charge (above actual cost) - or ask for payment by direct bank wire transfer or Western Union/Bidpay. In which case, you may 'buy' a genuine fossil, but never receive it (sometimes the seller doesn't ship) and not be able to get a refund.

On the same theme of plastic moulding - consider the 'dinosaur body' offered below.

It is quite common to see two examples of a fossil species together on one matrix rock slab. Usually a pair of tortoise or turtles - sometimes dragonflies. This is a real give away and should be avoided - any such pairing is always fake.

The tortoise above score as - carved, anatomically incorrect, pairing. To the right is a fake Chinese dinosaur egg - nothing like the real article. Below is a fake mammal skull - it's a real skull but not fossilized - just aged to look like a fossil - it is a skull from a living species.

More molded pairs below - a pair of trilobites.

Other techniques of fossil production include the use of real bones from extant (not extinct) species - particularly birds.

All of the examples above were offered by sellers in mainland China.

Purchasing from UK, USA and European fossil dealers is therefore recommended, preferably those specialising in Asian fossils.