How do I make my wenlock mortality plates look better

[ToadCultist]

Hello, I have a few mortality plates I collected myself from wren's nest a while ago. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how I could go about improving the contrast between the matrix and the fossils? Mine seem to look a little dusty and dull compared to specimens I've seen in museums (see attached examples), I was hoping someone could give me some advice on how I could achieve a similar effect.

Thanks!

[ToadCultist]

Here are some other examples of what I'm after

[Fossildude19]

Are any of your plates pictured here?

 

[DPS Ammonite]

What are the fossils and matrix composed of?  

If the fossils are silicified and the matrix is carbonate, you might be able to etch them out more with acid.

 

If both are calcite/limestone, then you may be able to break up some of the matrix with lye flakes.

 

Let us know what the fossils and matrix are composed of.

[Ludwigia]

It looks to me that the fossils in the photos you are showing have been coated with some kind of stone care product like a beeswax finish or so and the matrix is untouched. If that's what you're looking for, then go shopping for that sort of substance which can be painted on. A product called Rember is quite popular for that purpose over here in Germany.

[TqB]

1 hour ago, DPS Ammonite said:

What are the fossils and matrix composed of?  

If the fossils are silicified and the matrix is carbonate, you might be able to etch them out more with acid.

 

If both are calcite/limestone, then you may be able to break up some of the matrix with lye flakes.

 

Let us know what the fossils and matrix are composed of.

I think this material is usually calcite, in limestone. Air abrader, with some pneumatic pen for bulk removal, is probably the way to go. Selectively finished with beeswax or similar, as @Ludwigia said. (Of course, a lot of the old museum specimens would have been manually prepped with needles, unless they were already well weathered which many were.)

Edited December 4, 2024 by TqB