DenverEdge Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 I recently acquired some matrix with teeth from the Denver gem and fossil show this year. I’m unsure what is best to do. Leave everything in the rock, get the teeth out and see if I can find other fossils as well, or just prep the teeth out a little and leave them in the matrix. I have prepped a lot of Moroccan phosphate material but never something from the states. Also if anyone can help I.d any teeth that would be helpful. Here are a few of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troodon Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 When it comes to leaving fossils in matrix its a personal choice. I like specimens in matrix and would clean them up to expose as much as necessary to identify it and make it look nice and sized appropriately. Not sure what you have (close up photos needed) other than a tooth that needs to be cleaned up in the second photo. Probability of other items like Moroccan matrix is pretty low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 Please post items for Identification under the FOSSIL ID. Sub-Forum. Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DenverEdge Posted October 12, 2021 Author Share Posted October 12, 2021 Mostly posted in here to see if it’s worth it to further prep this material or not, and any tips in doing so. I plan to at least clean some of them up a bit. I’ll post later for Id’s after I do so in that forum I’ll post pictures of the progress of the prep once I start here. One question, I use dental tools normally is there something better to use for this? The matrix seems exceptionally soft I don’t want to ruin anything. Is a stabilizer required? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DenverEdge Posted October 12, 2021 Author Share Posted October 12, 2021 I decided to start on this piece because it seems damaged so I can get a feel of the material. I’ll post pictures of my progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 I find that curved dental picks have too much bounce to do a good job on these things. Do you have any straight ones? Or you could make straight ones by cutting off the curved end of one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troodon Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 I typically like to use X-acto knives to work in that type of matrix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DenverEdge Posted October 13, 2021 Author Share Posted October 13, 2021 41 minutes ago, Troodon said: I typically like to use X-acto knives to work in that type of matrix. I don’t have one of those exactly but I got short thin blades knives or a straight needle type tool I could use. Thanks for the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DenverEdge Posted October 13, 2021 Author Share Posted October 13, 2021 48 minutes ago, jpc said: I find that curved dental picks have too much bounce to do a good job on these things. Do you have any straight ones? Or you could make straight ones by cutting off the curved end of one. I actually do have a straight tool I’ll try that thanks. It came with a green river fish I still have to prep as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 12 hours ago, DenverEdge said: I actually do have a straight tool I’ll try that thanks. It came with a green river fish I still have to prep as well. and keep it sharp with a dremel tool... in a perfect word, with a diamond wheel on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DenverEdge Posted October 13, 2021 Author Share Posted October 13, 2021 3 hours ago, jpc said: and keep it sharp with a dremel tool... in a perfect word, with a diamond wheel on it. I actually have a sharpener made to sharpen dental tools. I’ll post some pictures of my progress later today. No idea what It is I’m guessing a tooth shard of something I guess I’ll have to make another post in the fossil Id section too when I get it more exposed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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