Cowboy Paleontologist Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 I have found a number of fossiliferous paleozoic stones of various sizes, types, and quality, in a cretaceous conglomerate layer. I have included a picture of some of them. I rather like them because, although the fossils are not very high quality, it is neat to think about how they have been fossilized and eroded out multiple times. I was thinking about running them through a rock tumbler to polish them, but I am concerned that the hardness of the fossils compared to the rock might present some sort of issue. Does anyone have any thoughts on why this may or may not work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 that material look soft and grainy, I do not think they will polish well. But you have nothing to lose by trying.The middle one will probably polish best 2 "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 If you've got the tumbler, why not try it, but not for as long as you would harder rock? The other idea is sand paper/emory cloth. Start with the coarser grits, then go progressively finer. I know this is how they polish Petoskey stones (limestone with fossil coral), and you can probably find more detailed instructions online or maybe even here on the forum. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBrewer Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 If they look nice wet you could coat with something like a wax or Paraloid or a varnish 2 John Map of UK fossil sites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowboy Paleontologist Posted January 20, 2018 Author Share Posted January 20, 2018 Great advice all around. Thanks everyone! 22 hours ago, Herb said: you have nothing to lose by trying Very good point, I think I will just give it a go. 20 hours ago, Wrangellian said: The other idea is sand paper/emory cloth. Start with the coarser grits, then go progressively finer. I know this is how they polish Petoskey stones (limestone with fossil coral), and you can probably find more detailed instructions online or maybe even here on the forum. If tumbling doesn't work, I'll try this. I will also try this on an almost complete Hexongonaria coral head with one edge broken off. I plan to leave most of it, but polish the broken face. 4 hours ago, JohnBrewer said: If they look nice wet you could coat with something like a wax or Paraloid or a varnish If the above fail to bring about the desired results, I'll try this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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