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Hello all, I recently ordered a big piece of Wheeler Shale and have had loads of fun splitting the rock and finding Trilobites. I've got a nice complete specimen of each of the common species (Kingii, Wheeleri, Interstricta) as well as a ton of molts, cephalons, and pygidiums. I am a new prepper and thought this would be a good way to start, though my dream is to eventually learn how to do Moroccan or Russian trilobites. I've been practicing on the molts and parts of the trilos, but the head I am prepping currently looks like it is pyritized. It's got a few pyrite pieces on it, but as I'm washing and brushing it off, the whole thing looks to have a golden sheen. I'm worried the water I've been putting on the specimens to soften the matrix will damage the fossil, though I've been scrubbing and brushing it off before it soaks in too much. Should I stop using the water as soon as possible or is it okay? And how do you more experienced preppers handle the pyrite? I love the look of the gold and don't want to damage it. For now I've been using these tools: Dental pick Thin Steel Wool Wire brush Kneaded Eraser Spray Bottle with Water I'm planning to get an air scribe soon to prep the complete trilos with.

Hey everyone! I recently received a partial Triceratops sp. skull excavated from Meade County, SD. Unfortunately the skull was weathered before and after fossilization, what survived was the left brow horn, edge of the left squamosal, what I assume to be fragments of squamosal, fragments of parietal, a couple bags of float and what I think is possibly some of the jugal. The horn was already prepped but the frill fragments came mostly unprepared. I've done small prep on local Ordovician material as well as various bone fragments from the Hell Creek with hand tools to include practicing on pieces of the float, but never on this scale. My plans are to eventually make an awesome display piece with what I have. I was wondering if anyone had advice on how I should appropriately tackle the hard claystone that cakes a good portion of the material. Some of it is so thin that it seems pretty difficult to get it off without damaging the underlying bone. Also have used water to help soften and get the matrix off. I've tried to read all what I can on here as far as manual prep and the way to go about it, but knew people here would have specific experience with Hell Creek/Triceratops material. Also seeking any further advice on my progress and how I should go about it. I'll try to post more pictures as I go and will gladly post more if requested! Also was wondering what papers/material is out there that could maybe help identify what sizeable chunks of the frill could are what? Thanks! Started working on this piece a few weeks ago

This is my second manual prep. Three partial brachiopod valves. Again, nothing special. I picked them up specifically to practice on. The middle valve is very fragile. Part of the valve broke off while prepping and the whole thing is ready to come off the base matrix. It wiggles like a loose tooth! No surprise, as the whole piece has cracks running through it; typical of the stratum. I also was beginning to uncover a bryozoan above the left most valve. I chose to stop as this was just for practice anyway. It will make a good addition to my son’s little collection. I realized after I was well into the prep that I had neglected to take progress pictures. Oh well... Mistakes made, and lessons learned, but I had fun along the way! Practice makes perfect! Things I learned... You need supporting matrix. I broke a couple of pieces from the edge of the valves because they were undercut and very little matrix was there to support it as I applied pressure to the top. “Sticky” matrix is the bane of my existence! Lol. Seriously. That stuff is a pain in the neck! Matrix composition can vary even in the same rock. Some pieces flake off. Some spots are hard. Some are soft. Others drive you crazy! Patience! I already knew this, but it bears repeating. Remember to take pictures. Here are a couple of before shots and one completed picture. The only pictures I remembered to take... Before: After: