Prep Help

[Kane]

I thought I'd tap the seasoned experts about this one before I go ahead and do something... permanent and boneheaded.

 

What I have here is a Bellacartwrightia I found at Penn Dixie over a week ago. The cephalon is sticking out at a not so easy angle. On the top is a nice Bella pygidium I uncovered while chipping away from the top. I have no idea if the Bella cephalon continues. It does look like I'll have to sacrifice the pygidium. I'm just unsure how I should be going about seeing if I can expose the bottom one there as it seems to sit at a strange angle though the strata. 

 

I'm just afraid of going too much further and wrecking it. Any advice is appreciated!

[Northern Sharks]

Bring it along Sunday, there will be plenty of preppers at the quarry to see it in person

[Ptychodus04]

If it were me, I would leave the pygidium in place and prep the cephalon as well as possible. It will make a cool piece. Is the original trilobite a whole bug? If so and it is a really nice one, I would gladly sacrifice the pygidium.

 

Do you have a microscope you prep under? This one will need it.

[Kane]

13 minutes ago, Northern Sharks said:

Bring it along Sunday, there will be plenty of preppers at the quarry to see it in person

Will do!

 

12 minutes ago, Ptychodus04 said:

If it were me, I would leave the pygidium in place and prep the cephalon as well as possible. It will make a cool piece. Is the original trilobite a whole bug? If so and it is a really nice one, I would gladly sacrifice the pygidium.

 

Do you have a microscope you prep under? This one will need it.

That is what I'm not sure about - if it is complete under there! I don't have a convenient scope (yet). Life will also be much easier once my scribe comes in the mail! 

[Ptychodus04]

39 minutes ago, Kane said:

That is what I'm not sure about - if it is complete under there! I don't have a convenient scope (yet). Life will also be much easier once my scribe comes in the mail! 

 

I think I see the orientation now. The cephalon is folded down and extends back into the rock. I would continue to remove matrix leaving the pygidium in place. You definitely need a scope for this. I wouldn't try it until you get some good magnification.

 

 

If the funds are available in the family coffers, Amscope.com is having a nice sale right now. I just picked up a goose-neck light for my scope for $75 (regularly $258)!! Take a look at their dissecting microscopes.

 

At that rate, you will have enough money left over to order a kilt!

[Kane]

28 minutes ago, Ptychodus04 said:

 

I think I see the orientation now. The cephalon is folded down and extends back into the rock. I would continue to remove matrix leaving the pygidium in place. You definitely need a scope for this. I wouldn't try it until you get some good magnification.

 

 

If the funds are available in the family coffers, Amscope.com is having a nice sale right now. I just picked up a goose-neck light for my scope for $75 (regularly $258)!! Take a look at their dissecting microscopes.

 

At that rate, you will have enough money left over to order a kilt!

Thanks for the tip! I'll see if the missus needs xmas gift ideas  

 

That would certainly keep some money on hand for something plaid. Not that I would dress up this topic by skirting the issue!  O ho ho!

[Ptychodus04]

34 minutes ago, Kane said:

Thanks for the tip! I'll see if the missus needs xmas gift ideas  

 

That would certainly keep some money on hand for something plaid. Not that I would dress up this topic by skirting the issue!  O ho ho!