Preserving Fossils

[FossilFamily_24]

On 9/13/2020 at 2:54 AM, Josesaurus rex said:

Is it necessary to apply the chemical compounds that you have mentioned here in all kinds of fossils?  or is it optional?  
I have teeth of megalodon,

one of carcharodontosaurus,

one of spinosaurus,

pyritized ammonites,

pieces of wood and plate with fossil leaves as the most important of my collection.  

 

Should I submit them to a specific conservation process or may they remain as they are?

Curious too… it seems like it’s a good idea even for plant fossils, since it was mentioned, but double checking.

[hadrosauridae]

No, its not necessary on all fossils.  If they are solid and strong they dont have to have it, but on vertebrate material I generally apply a thin mixture just ensure any micro-cracks cant get worse.  Some fossils, especially plants may look much worse if a coating is applied.  Its always best to try on broken scraps before applying to the really nice one.

[pachy-pleuro-whatnot-odon]

I agree. If a fossil appears stable and won't be handled too frequently, there's often no direct need to apply chemical consolidants that may affect appearance. I have rarely apply any form of consolidation to plant fossils or invertebrate material I collected over 30 years ago as a child, and it's all still stable. Enamel - that is teeth - often don't really need consolidation either. However, for vertebrate material, consolidation may be necessary to ensure long-term preservation. Even then, though, a lot of museums don't do it, to ensure the integrity of a specimen. So depending on preservation and locality, you may be able to perfectly get away not applying a consolidant. Again, a lot depends on the state of the fossil after collection and preparation, its storage, and how often you intend to handle it...