How To Avoid Buying Fakes!

This portion of the AACA website is dedicated to educating relic collectors on how to identify authentic artifacts - and how to spot potential fake artifacts.

It is important to remember in our collecting field the only safe way to build a clean collection is to consider every relic fake until you can determine it is authentic :-)

This may sound paranoid - however when I am looking at a piece to consider if I should purchase it - I consider what about that piece tells me it is real. As soon as I come across one little item that may tell me it is not real, I pass. True, it may in fact be authentic, however there are plenty of good old authentic relics for sale, and there is not one single reason to acquire a piece that you do not feel 100% confident in. Be careful - Be smart - Be cautious!

If you have questions about any article or would like follow up information - please contact the author directly - the purpose of the AACA is for member to help member!

A close up look at hinge fractures and how they can help determine if a point is authentic

Can you find the real slate?
A good example of why not to buy slate from just anyone based on a picture

Rechipped flint is easy to spot if you know what to look for! learn how!
It is the most common form of artifact fraud out there today

Watch out for fake baskets and rugs! Here is a member willing to help on this topic

BEWARE! Fake Perino Papers! Here is an example of a real paper and a fake

Acrylic Replicas - they sure look real!

How To Spot Restored Points

Three Fakes For Study