Nimravis Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 I had to drive into the city this morning to visit the dentist and see my grandson. Prior to heading home I decided to drive the additional 4 miles to see what new fossils Dave's Down to Earth Rock Shop in Evanston, Illinois had to offer. If you have seen my previous posts on the little store you will remember that they have some great stuff to offer. In this post which like the rest, will be picture heavy. I did not take pictures of everything that the store had to offer, but I did take pics of some cool stuff. The store has fossils for every budget and I am sure you will see something that you like. In addition to fossils, the store has a huge selection of rocks, minerals and jewelry, and that is what most customers seem to come in for. The lower level of this store holds an unbelievable collection of fossils, from Mazon Creek to trilobites to dinosaurs to White River Badland fossils. I other posts I have taken a lot of pictures of the fossils on display in the museum, but for this post I just took a couple cursory pictures so you can see what I mean. If there is some picture that is not of the best quality let me know and I will see if I can post a larger size example. If you are ever in the Chicagoland area, this is really a must visit, when @Monica was recently in town I took her there and I think she will agree that it is a great place to visit. It will take me a couple posts to load all of the pictures, so if you look at the first couple post, I will not be done so, stop back a few minutes later. Now on with the show----- I think there are a couple things that @Troodon and @Ludwigia might like. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimravis Posted November 10, 2019 Author Share Posted November 10, 2019 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimravis Posted November 10, 2019 Author Share Posted November 10, 2019 Here is an overview of the Museum- Here the only thing that I purchased today- I thought it was very showy- I believe that the correct ID is- @Ludwigia is the below correct? Pleuroceras spinatum Jurassic Pliensbachian Stage Buttenheim, Bavaria And it also has a nice little gastropod. That's it folks- Hope you enjoyed. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieLynn Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 wow! That was quite a tour! I feel like I was there! 1 www.fossil-quest.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 I certainly remember visiting Dave's shop when I was in Chicago - it's a great place! From the pictures you've shared, Ralph, I have to say that my favourites are the tower of iridescent ammonites from Russia and the rock slab with lots of echinoids from France Thanks for taking us along on your little outing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troodon Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 Hey thanks great tour and shots. Always like seeing everything in his shop and yes just of couple of drool items 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 Golly gosh. Breathtaking stuff. And a nice one for your collection, Ralph. 2 Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 I would consider that whole place a museum, including the shop section, partly due to the quality of stuff, and the prices. BTW I have one of those Buttenheim ammonites that I acquired years ago and it is slowly turning white. I would suggest some sort of treatment to prevent pyrite disease if it hasn't already had such. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimravis Posted November 10, 2019 Author Share Posted November 10, 2019 1 hour ago, Monica said: tower of iridescent ammonites from Russia I agree Monica, that piece is beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimravis Posted November 10, 2019 Author Share Posted November 10, 2019 35 minutes ago, Wrangellian said: would suggest some sort of treatment to prevent pyrite disease if it hasn't already had such. Thanks for the info on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misha Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 I'm doubting the authenticity of some of that stuff, especially the first Grallator you showed But otherwise most of that stuff looks very nice! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimravis Posted November 10, 2019 Author Share Posted November 10, 2019 20 minutes ago, Misha said: I'm doubting the authenticity of some of that stuff, especially the first Grallator you showed But otherwise most of that stuff looks very nice! Some of the ids could be off, I have seen some in the past and they corrected them, but I doubt that there are items that are not authentic. There are enhancements that some sellers put on trackways before they are sold to other dealers, I am not a fan of that and like them Natural. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darktooth Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 Thanks Ralph, my wallet is now quivering with delight. 1 I like Trilo-butts and I cannot lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stats Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 I love that place! They have so much great stuff. I try to get there once a year. The Mazon corner in the basement has some breath taking specimens. The horseshoe crab is my favorite down there. Cheers, Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Praefectus Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 Dave's Rock shop is always a pleasure to visit. I live really close to it, so I try to visit once a month to see the new stock. Thanks for the photo tour, Ralph. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimravis Posted November 10, 2019 Author Share Posted November 10, 2019 2 hours ago, stats said: The horseshoe crab is my favorite down there. Yes, that is a big one. I always take a look at the piece that I had sold Dave years ago that is in the basement- it is the Mazon Creek Onychophoran. It is the one and only piece I ever sold and I kick myself each time I see it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 9 hours ago, Nimravis said: I believe that the correct ID is- @Ludwigia is the below correct? Pleuroceras spinatum Jurassic Pliensbachian Stage Buttenheim, Bavaria Yes it is, although judging by the shiny bright gold color, it could be that someone helped it along with a bronze brush. Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phevo Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 Hey Nimravis, thanks for the tour of dave's shop and museum I think the id on the ammo is ok, it has been brushed with a brass brush to give it that shine though. I have visited the quarry a few times and thought you might enjoy afew pictures, it is roughly split in 3 zones were you find different species etc. in each. Your specimen is most likely from the top Best regards 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimravis Posted November 10, 2019 Author Share Posted November 10, 2019 @Ludwigia and @Phevo thanks for the info- when you state the info about the brush, do you mean it was brushed to make it more shiny or was something painted on it? I hope is was not the latter, I do not like enhancements Like that on fossils, a little brushing to make it more shiny I can deal with. I bought the piece because I pulled up a write-up on the website “Fossilmuseum” that showed an example of these and they were the same color, so I decided to grab it. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phevo Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 Hey again When they Are brushed some Copper is rubbed off on the pyrite fossil giving it that golden look. Ill put a picture of an insitu find with the original White shell of the ammonite. The second picture is one i experimented on by putting it in vinegar to dissolved the calcite shell. The last step which i have not done yet is brushing it with a brass dremel brush They remove the outer shell to make the internal suture Lines visible Best regards 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 I have enjoyed your previous posts on this little shop. I’m hoping to finally get to visit it in person next month! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimravis Posted November 10, 2019 Author Share Posted November 10, 2019 1 hour ago, Phevo said: Hey again When they Are brushed some Copper is rubbed off on the pyrite fossil giving it that golden look. Ill put a picture of an insitu find with the original White shell of the ammonite. The second picture is one i experimented on by putting it in vinegar to dissolved the calcite shell. The last step which i have not done yet is brushing it with a brass dremel brush They remove the outer shell to make the internal suture Lines visible Best regards Thanks for that info and now I understand- it does make them look nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimravis Posted November 10, 2019 Author Share Posted November 10, 2019 1 hour ago, BLT said: I have enjoyed your previous posts on this little shop. I’m hoping to finally get to visit it in person next month! That would be great and if you want company let me know and I will see if I can get down there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBrian Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 Quite impressive! 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 On 11/10/2019 at 5:15 AM, Phevo said: Hey again When they Are brushed some Copper is rubbed off on the pyrite fossil giving it that golden look. Ill put a picture of an insitu find with the original White shell of the ammonite. The second picture is one i experimented on by putting it in vinegar to dissolved the calcite shell. The last step which i have not done yet is brushing it with a brass dremel brush They remove the outer shell to make the internal suture Lines visible Best regards If these have pyrite infilling, I could see the removal of the outer layer of shell or patina revealing pristine, unoxidized pyrite, which would be a rich golden color if it is copper pyrite. Not to say there isn't some brush residue as well, but has anyone tried it with something other than a copper (brass) brush, to see if there is a difference? In any case, exposing fresh pyrite to air only leads to oxidation, which is what I see happening on my specimen. I tend to avoid unnatural abraded/polished/sculpted fossils also, but it was cheap and pretty. Someday I'll get a pristine, unaltered one, but it might still need to be treated somehow to protect the pyrite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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