Trilobite sections

[Collector9658]

I collected some trilobites last year that I have now sent out for preparation. Most of the specimens I found were by splitting rock, resulting in some nice lengthwise cross sections but I also did find one ventral and one dorsal example as well.

 

I wanted to make a post here so I can share the before and after results. Will update this as time goes on, and pieces are finished. 

 

#1 ventral 

 

 

#2 dorsal

 

 

 

Did a small amount of cleaning on #2. Will let a professional do the rest of the bulk cleaning. 

 

 

#3 I gifted this specimen to a gifted preparator. It looks to be a complete, but small Calymenid.

 

 

#4 the largest Calymenid I split out. This should be a nice complete specimen.

 

 

#5 has 2 complete Calymenids, in three pieces of stone. The second specimen cannot be seen, but is underneath the split rock in the first image below. I suspect this one will be a tricky and difficult prep job if both are to be cleaned and seen.

 

 

 

 

#6 this Calymenid is small, complete, and somewhat enrolled.

 

 

 

 

#7 the specimen I am most excited about. This doesn't match the Calymenid cross sections shown above. Perhaps a Dalmanatid? I dont think a complete one has been collected here yet, so chances are pretty slim. 

 

 

That's all I've sent out for now. Many of these sections are very difficult to see without certain lighting and wetting, but I tried my best to showcase what I've been looking for in the rock. I look forward to sharing the results with all of you soon!

[Collector9658]

Oftentimes, it is not uncommon to send off a potentially nice looking specimen out for prep, just for issues to reveal themselves during cleaning. This was the case with #4. The split in the rock during collection caused some damaged, and some shell would have been missing, which I don't mind. Unfortunately, some of the glabella was dissolved away, and the pygidium likely was not attached.

As my goal was to collect complete specimens, work will probably stop on this trilobite.

 

On the opposite note, it is always great to see nice results. The #1 ventral specimen came out very nice, I could not be happier. Preparation completed by Gerry Kloc.

[hadrosauridae]

great post.  what formation are these coming from.  I'm also sad now, because today I didnt collect a couple trilos that were apparently in ventral view.  I didnt recognize it like that.

[Collector9658]

12 hours ago, hadrosauridae said:

great post.  what formation are these coming from.  I'm also sad now, because today I didnt collect a couple trilos that were apparently in ventral view.  I didnt recognize it like that.

These are from the Silurian-aged Bainbridge Formation. Most I have collected are from the St. Clair limestone Member, but a few were collected from the Moccasin Springs Member.