Clanjones Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 I recently acquired a small Araucaria cone and I am wondering what the general opinion on cutting/polishing fossil pine cones. Should it be cut to show off the internal structure or is it best to just leave it as a whole specimen? How do you feel about modifying fossils in general to enhance aesthetic, rather than scientific, value? I am interested to hear the Fossil Forum's opinions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misha Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 I think that if I had the option I would cut and polish something like this I would, it looks interesting already but doing that would make it even cooler. Also I do not think this would decrease what you call the scientific value of the piece, but of course the choice is not mine and it is all up to you to decide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 It's not of great scientific value, so it's no harm done if you want to cut it in half. Personally, I would leave it as it is until I have another one to fiddle with. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mediospirifer Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 I like the appearance of a cut cone. I have a small Araucaria that's split lengthwise and polished to reveal the internal structure, and the cut side is quite striking. I wouldn't turn the whole thing into slices, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 There are plenty of cut and polished cones available on the market. I would keep this whole and buy another that has already been cut. 1 Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldigger Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 I personally find cutting these cones an abomination. Not a fan of the cut and polish practice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 I have nothing against slicing some Auracaria cones, but in this case, I'd do as others are suggesting and leave this one as is. It appears to be in good condition and has a good shape. Perhaps a bit of abrading could even improve the appearance. Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranzBernhard Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 Many thoughts already, my opinions: 3 hours ago, Clanjones said: Should it be cut to show off the internal structure You don´t know how well it is preserved, how good the contrast is. 3 hours ago, Clanjones said: How do you feel about modifying fossils in general to enhance aesthetic, rather than scientific, value? It heavily depends on the fossil and its preservation, if aesthetics or scientific value (or both) are enhanced - or destroyed... 3 hours ago, Tidgy's Dad said: I would leave it as it is until I have another one to fiddle with. Exactly my opinion on this one. 3 hours ago, Mediospirifer said: I like the appearance of a cut cone. I don´t know, if all of these cones look well when cut and polished. There is often the risk, that not much can be seen on the cut surface (low contrast, bad preservation). 2 hours ago, ynot said: I would keep this whole and buy another that has already been cut. I would do the same in this case. But its a different story, if you collect them yourself and have plenty of material. 27 minutes ago, caldigger said: I personally find cutting these cones an abomination. Its a matter of taste, I fully understand this. I am living on both sides: Totally pristine (aka naturally weathered and worn ) fossils and flat cut and polished ones. In my opinion, I would look for a second cone, maybe of somewhat similar size, an already cut and polished one. It would be very nice and educative, to have both together: A complete one and another one showing how the interior looks like. Franz Bernhard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siteseer Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 18 hours ago, ynot said: There are plenty of cut and polished cones available on the market. I would keep this whole and buy another that has already been cut. Hi Tony, I agree. In fact that is exactly what I was going to say. You don't know for sure if this specimen would turn out well from sawing. We see all the ones that look great at shows and in books but we don't see the ones that didn't. We might assume that it would be hard to find someone who used to do that work and could give you advice. It looks a little weathered to me like something that was near or at the surface when it was collected. It might have tiny cracks inside and need to be hardened with some kind of consolidant before trying to cut it. If you look around, you will see many split pairs (maybe not as many as 20 years ago) and they can be different colors so I would see what's available and pick the pair you like before taking a risk on that one. Jess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clanjones Posted April 7, 2019 Author Share Posted April 7, 2019 Thanks for all of the input everyone. I am definitely going to leave the pine cone in its natural state. Quote Perhaps a bit of abrading could even improve the appearance. I'm not sure if the scales are obscured by matrix or just weathered away. I would be apprehensive to attempt to prep it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mexx Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 What has become of the cone meanwhile? Still whole? In my opinion I would cut this one as the surface structure does not give away too much anymore as it shows significant signs of erosion. The interior on the other hand may still be well preserved. Make sure to find a good polisher (in case you do not do it yourself) and cut it into two pieces, not more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kmiecik Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 The external detail on this specimen is not impressive. I would be tempted to slice it, but not until I had found another one and would then cut the one that is less well detailed. Mark. Fossil hunting is easy -- they don't run away when you shoot at them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mexx Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 What happened to it meanwhile? Still whole or cut? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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