gilthead Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 hi could anyone on here suggest how to look after pyrite fossils e.g. shining and preserving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Pyrite disease can be a serious problem; besides having your pyrite fossils turn to dust, the sulfuric acid released will damage anything else nearby. There have been several discussions on the Forum about mitigating this; here is one of them: LINK "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilthead Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 Pyrite disease can be a serious problem; besides having your pyrite fossils turn to dust, the sulfuric acid released will damage anything else nearby. There have been several discussions on the Forum about mitigating this; here is one of them: LINK thanks Auspex at the moment I keep all my pyrite fossils in the same box is it advisable to separate them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 thanks Auspex ...it advisable to separate them Yes; once one starts to go, it will accelerate and spread throughout. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilthead Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 not the best way but it works, I used clear shellac . Will not come off easy. I have 40 year old specimens still looking like the day I collected them. Not advised for un-pyritized fossils. 1 "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilthead Posted January 20, 2016 Author Share Posted January 20, 2016 thanks herb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 A mixture of cellulose laquer (we call it Zaponlack in Germany) and acetone is also used by many. It doesn't last forever so the process has to be repeated every few years. Just make sure that the fossils are first cleaned and then are absolutely dry before you coat them. 1 Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 here is one that is 45 years old ( +350 million). "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrguy54 Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 (edited) As I understand, not all pyrite decomposes/rots/decays, the kind of pyrite that breaks down chemically when exposed to oxygen and/or water is marcasite. It has a slightly different structure. Oddly Marcasite is the name jewelers use for pyrite jewelry. sounds more exotic, less scientific? Of the pyrite pieces I have collected (fossils or minerals), only those from the Buffalo area (a creek east of Buffalo) has begun to show the "decay". Some of it was already in that stage when I pulled it out of the ground. I was warned it would happen and immediately stored the pieces in a (hopefully) airtight container containing the silica packet. Some of them began to show visible signs of decay later anyway. All those decomposing I keep separated. I have collected pyrite fossils from NW Ohio (have one like Herb's) and nodules from the Indianapolis area and they have never shown a hint of decomposition. None of 'em. I collected these at least 5 years before I heard about the decay/rot process so I never did anything to them other than the regular prep process. These I keep in either a wall display case or cabinet drawer in my family room with no special coating or container. They do tarnish over time, losing their shine. When that happens and I have the time I give them a quick wash with Comet, water and a toothbrush. it was suggested I do this by a member of my Gem and Mineral club who'd been collecting for nearly 50 years. They shine right back up. I've been doing this for over 10 years with no visible ill effects. Edited January 22, 2016 by hrguy54 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 marcasite is a lot more likely to degrade. A spray of WD 40 will help some "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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