Stabilise very fragile fossil

[LiamL]

I recently aquired a ichthyosaur jaw from lyme regis that was origionally purchaced around 1990.

 

The piece has pyrite growth and lots of fractures. I’m guessing theres nothing i can do about the pyrite because it’s such an old piece and it’s already there.

 

 

but how should i go about how fragile it is? Would a tiny bit of super glue help at all? Or should i just leave it because it’d do more harm than good.

 

 

 

 

[The Amateur Paleontologist]

Really nice acquisition, Liam  

Honestly, what I'd do is make sure that the specimen is completely dry, and then apply a bit of superglue/cyanoacrylate (or any other good consolidant) in the cracks

-Christian

[LiamL]

33 minutes ago, The Amateur Paleontologist said:

Really nice acquisition, Liam  

Honestly, what I'd do is make sure that the specimen is completely dry, and then apply a bit of superglue/cyanoacrylate (or any other good consolidant) in the cracks

-Christian

The cracks seem to have already expanded, should i just put the glue in between?

[The Amateur Paleontologist]

That's what I'd do

-Christian

 

P.S. Let's hear what the others have to say about this, though  

[ynot]

3 hours ago, LiamL said:

The piece has pyrite growth and lots of fractures. I’m guessing theres nothing i can do about the pyrite because it’s such an old piece and it’s already there.

The pyrite "grew" on the piece while it was buried. It is part of the petrification process.

It can be removed, but that may damage the piece further.

[JohnBrewer]

I’d use Paraloid NOT glue which isn’t necessarily reversible and is not recommended by scientific institutions. If you need some pm me and I’ll gift you some