Rhombiferan2

These were my most difficult project. They are high resolution resin casts of an original specimen of the glyptocystid rhombiferan Cheirocystis fultonensis Sumrall. I found the original specimen on the type locality and prepped it. Ultimately, the original will rest in the museum collections with the specimens Colin Sumrall used to describe this species. I encourage others to deposit their rare specimens in collections and it's nice to choose the collections department that houses the type-specimen for it if it's from the same location,

I made just ONE mold. Subsequent molds were made from resin casts from the mold. I used RTV Silicone Rubber for the molds. One down-side was that it seemed to leave an oily film on the original that did not come off with soap. I don't want to scrub the original too hard or anything. Always be conservative in your cleaning of important fossils, if you have to clean it at all.

I used a two-part resin to make the casts. These casts are almost completely 3 dimensional. But it's a one-part mold, so the back of each cast has a nice flat place where the specimen can be mounted. The fine details of the specimen, including the impressive rhombs, are visible at most angles.

The painting is still under experimentation. I try coloring the resin before it sets with dyes made for that purpose and use various paints on the surface that makes it look like it was NOT professionally prepared. This seems to be my preference for all of the casts I've made. The replica should look just as it did when you picked it up from the late Ordovician fossil sea floor and washed it off in water.

I don't sell these casts. They too are rare. I don't have ANY myself. I give them away as quickly as I make them. They are a labor of love. And they aren't easy to do. :-)

Bill