ETHICAL SOURCING
SciShow Rocks is dedicated to providing genuine rocks, minerals, and fossils, with permission from the land-owners and local-authorities, and extracted using fair labor practices.
WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?
Geological and Paleontological research happens continuously. New discoveries are constantly being made, and while collectors can create excitement and interest, they can also disrupt scientists doing their work.
Careless collection causes the loss of valuable research. The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology's code of ethics states that scientifically significant vertebrate fossils must not be sold commercially.
EXPERT WORK DESERVES EXPERT PAY
Extracting rocks, minerals, and fossils is a labor intensive business, and everybody in the supply chain is compensated fairly. We will never accept samples from unknown sources or regions of conflict, or when our geologist can't verify the entire chain of custody. This level of scrutiny is expensive, but we believe that it's our most important work.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR TRILOBITE CAME FROM?
That cheap trilobite found online from overseas is not what you think it is. Fossil export from many countries is illegal. Due to lax enforcement and a lack of understanding of the laws, you can find them online pretty easily.
Even if you find one, though, your new trilobite may literally be made of mud. Many fossils sold on the international market are either broken and glued back together, or cast out of local muds, plasters, or clay. Lately, fakes are very well made and are hard to detect.
Your Rocks Box subscription includes a guarantee that your sample is genuine, and came from legitimate and legal sources.