A Warning About Fakes !

If you are a novice collector, or are just beginning to purchase Artifacts, you should be aware that there are a large number of  Fake Artifacts showing up in the market.   The best way to avoid making mistakes when purchasing Artifacts is to learn all you can about them.  If you are not skilled in distinguishing Reproduction Artifacts from the real thing, there are a few basics that you can observe that will improve your ability to aquire authentic pieces.  Arrowheads Dot Com does not guarantee the authenticity of the Artifacts sold by third parties on this site.  We do require that individuals selling Artifacts on Arrowheads Dot Com adhere to The Artifact Sellers Code of Ethics (ASCE).  If you believe that a seller on Arrowheads Dot Com has violated the ASCE, please let us know.  Please remember that we do not have any legal power to decide the outcome of a given situation.  Before notifying Arrowheads Dot Com of your complaint, please give the seller ample opportunity to rectify the situation.   Remember: we are all human and we all make mistakes.  We have made a few suggestions below that we hope will help you on your quest to aquire Authentic Prehistoric Artifacts for your collection.

1. Aquire Artifacts through reputable sources only
   Before you start making major purchases of Artifacts, find out all you can about the dealer/s you plan to buy from.  Ask other collectors about any experiences they might have had (negative or positive).
   
2. Ask for a Guarantee of Authenticity when you purchase Artifacts
   If a person selling Artifacts will not guarantee an Artifacts authenticity, it is probably because it is a reproduction.  Many people at Antique stores and flea markets will act as if they know nothing about Artifacts, and will often tell you a good story to get you to purchase Artifacts from them.  While bargains can occasionally be found at these sources, it is very risky for inexperienced collectors to buy from these sources.
   
3. Establish a Relationship with a reputable Authenticator
   If you are not 100% comfortable with your ability to judge the authenticity of any piece you are anticipating purchasing,  you can enlist the services of a qualified authenticator.  You should do your homework before hiring an authenticator to look at your Artifacts.  There seems to be a drastic increase in the number of people issuing papers on Artifacts.  I am sure that some of these "new" authenticators are capable of judging Artifacts.  But, I am equally sure that many of them are not.   This is especially true when they venture outside their collecting area, and begin papering pieces from areas that they are not familiar with, that are made from materials they are not familiar with.  The three most recognized names in the field of authenticating are Dwain Rogers, Greg Perino and Tom Davis.  I have used the services of all three, and believe they are capable in their field.  Remember that whoever papers your Artifact, they are only giving their opinion.  The best way to have confidence when purchasing Artifacts is to learn all you can yourself, but an authenticators opinion can help ease your mind.  I believe that "papering"   high grade Artifacts will increase their value in the future, and it helps document the provenance of each piece.
   
4. Always ask for provenance on every Artifact you purchase
   Provenance is any information about the origin of the piece, such as County and State where the piece was collected.  Sometimes pieces can even be traced to the site where they originated.  It is also helpful to record the names of previous collections the piece was in.  I don't consider it essential that a piece have provenance before you purchase it, but you should understand that; everything else being equal, the piece with provenance will be more valuable than the piece with no provenance.
   
5. Always inspect every piece you purchase
   Never assume that an Artifact is OK because you are buying from a reputable dealer, or that an organization runs a "clean" show.   Reproductions can and do show up anywhere.  Remember that we all make mistakes.  I don't know a single Dealer or collector who has not purchased a fake Artifact.  Most of us bought several in the process of becoming educated.  And, it can still happen to the best of us.  If you purchase a piece from any dealer, and you discover it is modern, always give that person a chance to make it right.  The rule of thumb here is to look at every piece you buy, and satisfy yourself that the piece is OK.
   
6. Look for restoration or alteration on Artifacts before you purchase
   There are a large number of Artifacts that were found in incomplete condition.  These pieces are sometimes "re-chipped" to make them appear whole.  A re-chipped projectile point is virtually worthless.  They are definitely worth less than the broken piece before it was re-chipped.  While "re-chipping" Projectile points is unacceptable, restoration of Artifacts is an acceptable practice.   Restoring an Artifact involves the use of glue to re-assemble broken pieces and/or epoxy materials to replace missing parts of an Artifact.  Restoring a broken tip on an Artifact makes it more pleasing to the eye, without actually altering the original piece.  Restored Artifacts are naturally worth less than whole Artifacts, and you should always look at Artifacts closely before purchasing, to ensure that you are aware of the condition of the piece.
   

7. Join an Archaeological Society
   There are many organizations across the country.  A number of them publish quarterly magazines that contain informative articles.  Membership in one of these organizations can put you in touch with other collectors from your area, who you should be able to learn a lot from.
   
   Good Luck Collecting.  I hope this will help someone avoid making a bad investment decision
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