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Hello, I acquired these pieces of "Burmese amber" of Myanmar on an auction site: shipping from China. They have irregular, natural-looking inclusions such as tiny Diptera flies, wasps etc., and feel very lightweight and relatively warm to the touch. However, that fact that they ship from China made me nervous so I did some tests, and I think I'm down to Amber vs. Polystyrene for the following reasons: 1. I did the saltwater test. These pieces float in saturated saltwater, which to my understanding narrows it down to amber, copal and polystyrene. 2. I did the acetone test. Placed a drop on each, let them dry, placed another drop and wiped. They all seemed impervious, no tackiness. Afaik this rules out copal. Unless it also rules out polystyrene? I read that acetone dissolves styrofoam which has polystyrene (https://www.google.com/amp/s/astrocampschool.org/recycling/amp/), but I'm not sure if that applies here as this isn't exactly styrofoam. So now I'm down to amber and polystyrene, which is a pretty specific comparison. I didn't do the hot needle+smell test as I don't want to potentially breathe in harmful material. If acetone doesn't rule out polystyrene does anyone know of a easy test to distinguish these two? Thanks!

Not sure if it matters where it came from but just in case, was in a mix of QAL and Eagle Ford. Thought it was bone when I picked it up but it felt funny like plastic and weighed nothing. Figured it would float but didn't, thought surely it would melt with flame but didn't, and no smell. I've shown it with piece of worn bone for comparison, but I'm still perplexed. What else could it be? Last picture is the bone.

Spotted this today from our favourite Scandinavian flat pack furniture store . This is for kids toys but maybe fantastic for a cheap show case for fossil or diorama. Have a look.

Hi all Since I was thinking about getting more into fossil hunting I'm going to need a good spot to store my finds. does anyone have any suggestions on airtight glass/plastic display cases? on a side note, what about brass identification plaques? i think those would be helpful Thanks -Diamond

I was wondering how fossils were preserved and a really cool thread on this site explained using plastic (butvar and others) to do so. It got me wondering, what about before plastic? How did early paleontologists protect fossils? Any links to sources you have would be amazing so I can read more about it. Thanks!

For many years I have used Vinac diluted in acetone as a consolidant and as an adheasive for non structural repairs of trilobites (ie when the exoskeleton flakes off as you are prepping). I currently have about 1/4 ounce of clear Vinac beads left. I already have both Butvar B76 and Paraloid B44 but do not think they work as well as the Vinac. Mind you it could all be in my head as I am generally quite resistant to change. I have used a thick application of Butvar as a reversable adheasive with good results. Does anyone have any Vinac that they would be prepared to sell or trade with me. Not looking for a huge quantity about a pound would last me forever. The last batch I got was only 4 ounces and it lasted me about three years. (got it as part of a trade I did) Obviosly I would cover the shipping costs by the cheapest method. Alternatively does anyone know a supplier that actually has Vinac that they are selling. A number of people have told me that some suppliers may still have old stock but no one could actually say who these suppliers were. I have tried contacting the Florida Paleontological society a few times and never get a response, as someone had metioned to me that you can still get it from them ut that was about a year ago. I got my Butvar and Paraloid from museum Services Corporation but they do not sell Vinac. Thay are recommending the Paraloid as a replacement. I have heard conflicting reports that a) it is no longer manufactured, it is still manufactured but under a different name. Black Hills institute indicates that Vinac is no longer manufactured and that they are no substituing for Vinac in order they take PVA-15 from McGean-Rohco. Do any of you know if this is actual the same as Vinac. I found another reference that indicates PVA-15 is the generic name for the compound and Vinac was the trade name.