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Buying and collecting trilobite fossils is
a wonderful hobby, and since there are 20,541 different species, there
will always be one that you don't have yet. It's also a great way to learn
about Paleontology,Geology,Biology,and Geography thru the study of these fossils.The
price of trilobite fossils can range anywhere from one dollar to thousands
of dollars, depending on the quality and rarity of the specimen.
A good species
to start your collection with would be an Elrathia Kingi.
The specimen on the left has the "free cheeks" (librigenae) intact.The specimen in the center is missing the right 'free cheek".The specimen on the right is missing both "free cheeks"
Can you see the difference?
  
Elrathia Kingi fossils come from a formation known as "The Wheeler Shale Formation" of
the House Range near Delta,Utah.The Elrathia is the most common of
about 45 different species that come from this location,and there are a number
of other formations in this area where trilobites are plentiful.If you would
like to find your own trilobites,stop by the "U-Dig
Quarry" about 20 miles from Delta.They can show you just how to find and identify
them,and have a great day of fossil hunting.If you prefer,almost any fossil
shop will have a good supply of Elrathias on hand,and they are usually very reasonably priced.
Elrathia kingis can also be found with predator bite marks on them, most likely from an Anomalocaris
although these Elrathias are not as common,and are a bit more expensive.
  
Anomalocaris
**Beware of Trick Photography!**
As you can see in the lower part of this photo,there appears to be a well defined bite-mark,however,this is NOT the case. It's just that the pleurons(segments) of this trilobite are in a shadow,and are folded under the body,they are not bitten off.
The second most common species from this area is the Asaphiscus wheeleri.
Asaphiscus wheeleri is very similar to the Elrathia kingi,but they have a much larger pygidium (tail)
They are also quite abundant,and would be a good choice to start your collection with.
Another species that would be good to start your collection
with would be a Diacalymene ouzregui.
Diacalymene ouzergui is a very common trilobite from Morocco that is also very reasonably priced,
and can be found in almost any fossil shop.
Akioud n' Ouzergui,Morocco
Courtesy of Google Earth
TRILOBITE AUCTION
Auctions are a great way to add add to your
collection,and they're a lot of fun besides.A good thing to remember though
is the saying "buyer beware".You should learn something about the physical
characteristics of trilobites so you're aware of what they're supposed to look
like before you bid.You should also watch out for catch phrases and words that
sellers use in order to sell their item faster and get more money for it.On
the next page is a list of some of the catch phrases that some dealers use,and
an explanation of what to look out for.
 
"Microsoft founder Bill Gates and actor Nicholas Cage
are both avid trilobite collectors?"
(Note:Other famous trilobite collectors included Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin!)
"If I had all the money I ever spent buying trilobites,
I'd use it to buy more trilobites!"-Mr.B.Bug
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
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