Where do people get unprepared trilobites?

[Trinitydraco]

So I am brand new to fossils and am having a hard time finding unprepared trilobites. I don't really have the ability to go hunt my own at this time but I want to get into preparation. I found the U-Dig site where I can order like 40lbs of shale but that's a bit much for me at the moment. I am just trying to find a few trilobites to get started and to get a feel for the tools and prepping. I was on online but had a hard time finding ones that had not already been prepped. Not to mention I have been warned about the risk of fraud buying trilobites on online. If anyone can direct me to where I can get some sweet rock bugs I would be very grateful!

[Kane]

Welcome to the Forum.  

 

Your best bet is to keep your eye on the auction sites; sometimes unprepared trilobites do come up. More often than not, however, the to-prep trilobites that are listed by professional preparators include specimens that are B- or C-grade due to some flaw that does not make it worth their time and money to prepare. I have developed relationships with some preparators who will offer me some pieces for prep, but there is not enough of those to spread around.  

[Fossildude19]

I go out and collect my own.  

 

You should contact some Forum members from Vermont, or join a local rock/mineral/fossil club. 

 

Burlington Gem And Mineral Club
Meetings: Last Thursday of month at 7:00 P.M.
Community Lutheran Church, 1560 Williston Rd; So. Burlington, VT
Show: July 27-28, 2013. Tuttle Middle School, 500 Dorset St; Burlington, VT
President: Andy Simmons 
Editor: Bob Fendrich
Bulletin: Burlington Gem & Mineral Club Newsletter
Webmaster: Steve Howe


Mineralogical Society of Brattleboro 
Meetings: 1st Tuesday of month at 6 pm
Brooks Memorial Library, Brattleboro, VT
Editor: Barbara Rowe

 

You can meet like minded folk, who already have experience with the area. 

Also, you can get access to quarries and properties that may be off limits to the individual collector. 

Good luck.   

 

Cluros is a good guy. 

You might send him a message. 

 

 

 

 

[Trinitydraco]

Oh wow! I didn't even know that was a thing! Thanks!

[DevonianDigger]

Do you specifically want complete trilobtes, or you just interested in unprepped material to practice with?

[Trinitydraco]

I don't mind partials. I need the practice. I am looking for one complete one to prep as a gift for my daughter too.

 

[Kane]

What sort of preparation tools do you have on hand? That might better direct the kind of material you'd be on the look-out for. 

[Trinitydraco]

I have an air scribe, mini files, polishing pads and dental tools. I work with silver so I have quite a few tools kicking around.

[RJB]

  I know there are lots of different trilo's in all different kinds rock.  Im sure an air scribe would come in real handy removing bulk rock and even getting close to the specimen,  but I think  you need some kind of air abrasive equipment to finish most of these trilo's? 

 

RB

[steelhead9]

You should definitely join the Burlington club. We actually have some pretty good trilobite collecting here in VT. The club has several very good collecting trips to trilobite sites every year. We need more fossil people!

[Trinitydraco]

I just wanted to thank everyone who posted on this thread. I now know about several trilobite sites within an hour drive from me and am going out to one this afternoon! I found out about them thanks to the info about our local mineral groups. I also have someone who will sell me some partials for prep too! This community seems so open and helpful to new people like me. So thanks again! I'll post if I find anything this afternoon!

[Trinitydraco]

 @steelhead9 

 

I totally will! Do I do that through your guys website? 

[steelhead9]

3 hours ago, Trinitydraco said:

 @steelhead9 

 

I totally will! Do I do that through your guys website? 

Yes, go to www.burlingtongemandmineralclub.org or just come to the next meeting.

Good luck hunting today. The good news is we have plenty of trilobites here. The bad news is they are in extremely hard matrix and very difficult to prep

[DevonianDigger]

This might come in handy down the road for you:

 

http://fossilspot.com/STATES/VT.HTM

[Fossildude19]

44 minutes ago, DevonianDigger said:

This might come in handy down the road for you:

 

http://fossilspot.com/STATES/VT.HTM

@Trinitydraco

 

Just a heads up that the info on the website that Jay posted is extremely old, (100+ years, in some cases) and likely no longer accurate. 
You can, however, use it as a starting place to begin your research from.   

 

[DevonianDigger]

I've found that those lists make for a good starting point because you can sometimes find areas that have been long overlooked. But that's just my experience with the New York ones.

[Fossildude19]

18 minutes ago, DevonianDigger said:

I've found that those lists make for a good starting point because you can sometimes find areas that have been long overlooked. But that's just my experience with the New York ones.

I agree wholeheartedly, Jay.

It is just good to know that the information is very old, and no longer accurate. 

People could go crazy looking for a site that is now a shopping mall or gas station.  

[DevonianDigger]

@Fossildude19, you just have to dig under the gas station. They won't mind.

[FossilDAWG]

5 minutes ago, DevonianDigger said:

@Fossildude19, you just have to dig under the gas station. They won't mind.

And if it gets too dark underground, just light a match!

 

Don

[FossilDAWG]

Actually, it would be an interesting (but very long) project to systematically check out all those sites.  Too much for one person, but maybe as a group effort it could be done.  Each person could try to find 10 sites in their area, for example.  

 

Don

[Fossildude19]

20 minutes ago, DevonianDigger said:

@Fossildude19, you just have to dig under the gas station. They won't mind.