First Greenops Prep

[FossilMo]

I've recently attempted to start preparing the fossils I collected in upstate NY. With a lot of trial and error and some nicked specimens, I have started to get used to my primitive preparation set-up consisting of a nail, a sewing needle and a hammer. Here's a disarticulated greenops which was great practice:

 

On a side note, I've noticed that freshly exposed shell is a nice black. Would anyone know how to get that back? 

[Fossildude19]

22 minutes ago, FossilMo said:

On a side note, I've noticed that freshly exposed shell is a nice black. Would anyone know how to get that back? 

The black means that the integument  (Calcified?? exterior shell) has remained. On trilobites from DSR, the integument is very fragile, and rarely preserved completely. 

Unfortunately, the only possible way to get it back is IF  you have the other half that still has the integument attached. Then you would glue both halves together, and try to prep 

the trilobite from the outside. 

[Fossildude19]

Of course you could use shoe polish, or black sharpie to color it in.  

 

Nice prep, by the way.  

[FossilNerd]

I'd say you did rather well with the tools you have! Nice job!