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Rather than displaying my eggs in a bog standard display case, I have a vague idea to display them on a bed of sand/matrix/gravel --- either looking like they are just being excavated or arranged almost like a small nest with a few plastic plants and things to make it look a bit like a nest site. But would the sand eventually damage/wear away the fossils over time? If not, would wrapping the lower half (in contact with the matrix) in some thin, clear plastic be enough protection while they sit in the sand/matrix? Think it'd make for an interesting looking fossil display, if I can get it looking right.

Hello, all! I am brand new to collecting. I have always had an interest in all things ancient, but it’s grown specific to dinosaurs and their kin. Recently, I made the plunge and bought my first ever tooth (megaladon). I have yet to receive it but want to make sure I display it properly. With two littles running around, I don’t dare leave it on the stand and was considering displaying it in a shadow box or a display case mounted adult eye level on the wall. Is this a huge, cringeworthy “just no” move? Also, if displayed in a shadow box I would obviously not use glue or screws or anything. I researched ahead of time and was able to buy from a reputable site but already foresee several more purchases coming my way. Finding other vendors is… problematic at best. Everything is always listed as “authentic” but I know better. Even questioning them brings generic responses along the lines of how they dive for teeth themselves, they’ll provide Authenticity Certs, etc. Aside from posting pics here (btw - floored at how knowledgeable you lot are!), what is the best way to vet potential sources? Thank you in advance! I hope to learn and educate myself in exploring this new hobby!

These are ammonite fragments from the duck creek formation in lake a Texoma TX. Any advice on how I can clean them and possibly get rid of all the “matrix” material on the shells? The one on the far left has a decent amount of matrix on it. Some of them have a design on the shell. Forget what it’s called I believe it starts with an f, but anyway I can make it “look better”

Hi everyone! I am new here, and a newbie to fossil collecting in general. I have a question I haven’t quite been able to find answers to by searching on the site. Hope this is the right on the forum place to ask.... I have some fossils I am thinking of displaying in a dry aquarium, and I would like to add live plants in with them. Is this OK for the fossils? Will the moisture from watering plants harm them at all or cause any problems? (They’ve made it millions of years and I don’t want to damage them after all this time!) Thanks for any help!

I have this item which looks to me like a shell. It has the shape but it appears to be incased in rock. Is there any way for me to "uncover" the shell if there is one at all? How would I go about trying to discover if there is something hidden within? The pics don't show the form as much as in person but hopefully you guys see what I see!