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Showing results for tags 'preservation'.
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Hey-Oh!!!! I found some little neat containers for super cheap and thought I'd share what and where! First pics are from Walmart's Back 2 School section. These were $1 dollar each. They are stackable, have two latches for containment and are great for smaller finds that are worth separating out and isolation. Second are classic plastic cotton ball containers that were being merchandised as small screw containers at Mendards. These come in two sizes (can't remember what) and they are $1.88 per container. I like these for separating my new finds that are smaller and need to soak in vinegar/etc... to further break down any matrix. OR as another source of stackable containers. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!!! Steve
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Hello, On a recent holiday to Kent I picked up some carboniferous plant fossils from a disused coal pit. Being in coal however they are rather crumbly and will not survive in their present state. Are there any methods for treatment suitable for a lightweight beginner to stabilise fossils in coal that I could use to prevent deterioration?
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Does anyone have any tips or tricks to preserve pyrite fossils? How to clean and keep them shiny without decay?
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I acquired these megs years ago, probably from a rock and fossil shop in Texas, USA. Is it at all possible to speculate where they might have originally been found based on their coloration and condition? Also, they have been "preserved" with what looks like clear lacquer. Is there a way to remove this without damaging the teeth? I would like to return them to somewhat of an "as found" condition. I realize they are poor quality specimens and not very large, but the shiny coating is bugging me!
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I have recently obtained this Pennsylvanian Fossil Fern - Schuylkill County. Leaves on both sides of the plate. I have read that some plants on slate can peel. Is that something that tends to happen with this material? If so, what would I use to prevent this from happening? Thanks
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At my main fossil site, soft fossil driftwood is pretty common, buried in cretaceous mud. It is full clam borings. Some of it looks great when first dug up, even with the bark still on it. Unfortunately, as it dries it crumbles to fragments. I think it is full of pyrite. Does anyone know how to preserve wood like this?
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Questions regarding solvents, sealants, and heat in trilobite fossils
Trinitydraco posted a topic in Questions & Answers
Okay so I have some questions on what you can and can't do with your typical trilobite in shale fossils. To help direct the discussion, I am interested in setting a small trilobite in silver as a gift. I make silver jewelry both using PMC (Precious Metal Clay) and traditional cutting and soldering. So, first question: Can you use high percentage (70% or higher) rubbing alcohol to clean all the dust and debris before sealing a trilobite? If not, what should I use? (I know you shouldn't use water) Question 2: What sealants can/should you use on a trilobite? I am looking for something that will be both waterproof and help prevent chipping. Question 3: Does anyone have any experience exposing them to high heat? It is common in jewelry making for heat to be involved, from both direct flame and indirect radiant heat. Is there any kind of precautions I should take and if so, what? What type of heat did you expose them to and what was the result? Different minerals act differently so remember we are talking about soft-medium shale. Question 4: Do you have any other advice or precautions you can give me regarding the use of fossil trilobites in/from shale matrix regarding their use in mixed media projects? The information I gather on this will help dictate my methods and help me create a plan for my project. There are many different ways I can do this and want to get a better idea of my options. Thanks. Picture is not of the exact trilobite to be used. It's just a reference for the kind of material/fossil I will be using.
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These have only been out of the water a very short time. Are there preservation steps that I should be taking or will they be fine if placed under glass and out of the sunlight? Thanks for any information.
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I got a soft slab of very nice Keichousaurus a a year ago. I keep it in a drawer at home, perhaps it’s too humid, I found that it’s broken into several pieces. Could anyone advise me how I could keep the soft slab without breaking? Shall I apply a layer of protective solution on the slab?
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I am going to feel bad if there is already a post with as much information as I am looking for, but I can't seem to find one. Essentially, I am having a hard time finding the proper consolidation materials. I have never prepped before, and I am going to be starting my first project this weekend. That being said, the extent of my knowledge of sealants comes from research on this forum. I am looking for the right materials to use (with or without acetone dilute) to keep my fossils from being damaged while working on some Moroccan matrix. I'm not finding anywhere reliable to purchase PVA B-15, Butvar, or anything of the sort. Is there a more easily accessible material I can work with? I need very little at this point in time, and not necessarily something expensive or overly high-quality as the items I will be working with are small and cheap. What are other alternatives that people use, and what are the benefits of each of them? I am eager to know all there is to know, and I've been slowly going down the list of each of the topics in this thread hoping to find what I'm looking for!
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Hi friend, I am working on a cluster of shark vertebrae and need advice on preservation. I have decided to clean up the whole sample and expose some of the fragments of different bones which are in the matrix surrounding the vertebrae. I need to stabilize the whole sample after I finish but I can't get here in Czech republic Butvar b76 as many people recommend. Can I use PARALOID B72 or AKEPOX 1005? Will I be able to apply paraloid with a brush and is it even suitable for this? Can you please advise or recommend other product?
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Hi Everyone, I recently decided to start preserving all of my pleistocene fossils and feel that Butvar-76 would be the best option. My problem is I can't find it anywhere. I contacted the Florida Paleontological Society and they said they don't carry it anymore. They recommended I either use Duco Cement in acetone or to look on the Museum Service Corporation website. On the Museum Service Corporation website it says that Butvar-76 has been discontinued, but they have an equivalent called B08SY Resin. Here's what they have listed: Butvar Resins White, free flowing powders. Generally soluble in alcohols, acetone and aromatic hydrocarbons. Forms films similar to polyvinyl acetate and is suggested as picture varnishes. Widely used to waterproof textiles. The films resist degradation by sunlight and heat. Average molecular weight is 30-34,000. Butvar B-76 has been discontinued. B08SY Resin is considered an equivalent resin to Butvar B-76, from a different supplier. It utilizes the same Polyvinyl Butyral resin as Butvar B-76. B08SY resin has the same solubility as Butvar B-76, but has a smaller grain size. Contact Museum Services Corporation for additional information, or to acquire a sample for testing purposes. F4503-001 B08SY 1 kilogram $34.00 F4504-001 B-79 1 kilogram $31.09 F4505-001 B-90 1 kilogram $25.08 F4501-001 B-98 1 kilogram $46.12 Has anyone bought B08SY or know where I can still get Butvar-76? If not, are there any consolidants that you would recommend using instead?
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I found a Mastadon tooth yesterday while walking a creek looking for Indian artifacts I need help preserving this correctly.
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I just recently bought one of my most expensive fossils and wanted to know if there's anything i need to do to prevent cracking / chipping. Its a partial antler of a Megaloceras giganteus . It came with a card saying it was treated for that but not to keep it in a room with a ton of humidity . anything else i should do , or is it going to be fine?
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I have been trying to find a reasonable solution for preserving St. Clair fossils, which are mineralized in white, yellow and orange colors. Cleaning with water dissolves the colors. Coating with most types of glue will also remove the color, turning white fossils to black! I experimented this week with decoupage, which seems to preserve the white mineralized fossils without changing them, and gives the specimen a glossy sheen. I am interested in this because the colors of St. Clair fossils are fairly robust, but can flake off over time, and may suffer from oxidation. My reason for posting is to ask if anyone has good reasons to NOT use decoupage to preserve and seal St. Clair fossil specimens? Here is a photo one the first one I tried, which is a small fragment - note the glossy sheen, and also how the color and detail was preserved. Decoupage looks milky when applied but dries clear. I want to verify that this is a good approach before trying this on larger speciments, some of which are 1 to 2 feet in size.
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How to preserve flaky outer coating on fossil shell
Misha posted a topic in General Fossil Discussion
I have a shell that I had found a while back and only now have I noticed that it has an outer layer that looks very similar to mother of pearl, this made the shell quite unique among many others that I had found, but sadly this layer is highly fragile and flakes off from any minor disturbances. I was wondering if there is any way to preserve this unique feature of the shell with some kind of coating before it is too late, any information is welcome. Thank you. -
Hello, I live in Houston,not exactly a hot bed for fossil and rock locations, or I dont know where they're at and google isnt helping much. Not retired yet but wish I could be. Ive always enjoyed fossils but just recently have gotten more into them. I had ordered shale from Wyoming so I could fossil hunt at home, which has been so much fun!! Plus I started noticing stuff in landscape stones in my yard. My husband isnt sure about me now dragging in mossrock etc from the yard and digging in. I joined because I need resouces to help me understand more about what Im looking at, how to properly preserve what I do find, where to go near me, if it exists. Etc. Totally amature at this but learning a lot. Excited to join up with a serious group that seems to have fun!
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Hey all. I’ve got a couple of quick newbie questions. My wife, who luckily is supportive of this new hobby of mine, decided to surprise me with some fossils from a reputable dealer to help jumpstart my collection, among them this Mosasaur tooth. I’ve not got any questions about it’s species (Prognathodon sp. if I’ve been reading all these posts I’ve been looking at right), and everything about it looks real. What I’m wondering is. A.) What are these two little circular inclusions in the matrix that I’ve circled? There’s one on each side, and they don’t look like natural rock. Fish vert maybe? And B.) Is there anything special I should do to help preserve this piece, as the climate here in Kentucky is vastly different from its original Moroccan home? I’ve read some people add fixatives, some don’t, some do on certain pieces. I just want to make sure that this piece which has lasted for millions of years lasts more than a few more. Thanks for all your help.
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I was wondering what the best storage situation/environment is optimal as regards fossilized dinosaur eggs, especially hadrosaur eggs. Any advice would be appreciated.
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I've heard that shellac is not commonly used to coat fossils and bones anymore because it doesn't hold up well over time. Does anyone know how long it typically takes for shellac to start darkening and cracking? Do you have an alternative you prefer? Thanks!
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I work at a small placer (gold) mine in the interior of Alaska, and we routinely find mammoth ivory. Sometimes just small pieces, sometimes complete tusks. I have purchased one from my employer, and try as I might, I have been unable to find any information on curing, or drying, the tusk before treating with butvar-76 or similar. This tusk is over nine feet long, weighs 85#, and is a beautiful specimen from a mature female wooly mammoth. The bark is a rich mahogany color, mottled with blue and ivory patches. It is obviously worth a small fortune, and I would like to preserve it as best as possible. Other tusks I have seen, will crack and deform as they dry. I want to minimize this as much as possible. I have heard of techniques such as banding with hose clamps, wrapping with burlap and keeping moist, even burying for a period of time, or a combination of these. What have others done with large tusks? How much moisture is acceptable before treating with acetone and butvar-76? Will the solution draw out moisture from deep inside the tusk, or will that water remain trapped there? This one has been out of the ground for less than two weeks. Thanks for any help! Here's another, my tusk is the one in the foreground.
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How do I preserve a sand dollar fossil found at a beach?
Jonesing posted a topic in General Fossil Discussion
We found a couple of sand dollar fossils in a hard matrix. From what I have read today I can’t get the hard matrix off without some special air tools. What should I do to preserve the specimens?
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So I found this tooth over a decade ago while canoeing down a local river. I always have had little flakes coming off and I finally decided to see if I could find a way to keep it from falling apart. It is only flaking off from the root of the tooth. Any help would be appreciated.
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How to clean and preserve a mammoth tooth with part of a jaw
Shomi posted a topic in Fossil Preparation
Hi guys, can someone please help me by telling me how to clean and preserve a mammoth tooth. My dad got this mammoth tooth from an archeologist about 20 years ago. In that time it was never cleaned and it is really dry and a bit crumbly. I would like to clean it and preserve it, it would be a shame to watch it turn to dust.
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Helllo friendly folks of the fossil forum, I have been searching for a coelacanth fossil on and off for years now. I finally found one that preserved all the characteristic fin "limbs" in profile from an Ebayer who acquired it while in Madagascar. I was pleased with the degree of preservation on both split halves. To my surprise, taking a hand lens to the more concave side revealed scale preservation. I know this is typical of bony fish with scutes like Gars from the Green River, WY - but! Is this unusually good for nodules in Madagascar? More to the point, am I keeping something away from the scientific eye that should be seeing this? I imagine 3-D scanning could reveal finer details for comparison to the living fossil ancestor today. Attached are photos taken with my iPhone and two photos through a regular light microscope at 2x magnification. Thank you for any advice or knowledge you may have on these classes of coelacanths. Warmly, Mark
