central texas Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 Hi. I would like to know what people use to clean fossils. These are marine fossils, lots of clam, oyster and other shells in sediment, from the mid Cretaceous here in Central Texas. Second, As I was reading old threads I saw a collection that had a clump of sediment with many of the shell creatures protruding from the top. Is there something I can soak the clumps of fossils to eat away some of the sediment but not the fossil? I did find a thread named "How To Clean An Ammonite" by betto0222 but couldn't find the text to go with it. It's OK to laugh if these questions seem basic, but I'm just starting. Bob http://tinyurl.com/3fysz5y --- Bob Smith Central Texas Cretaceous 31°02'54.27N - 97°55'56.08W . Large map of the formations where I am located http://tinyurl.com/3ral5cy . mid Cretaceous (~100 m.y.) . Border of the Trinity Group and the Fredricksburg / L. Washita Groups Walnut Clay Formation in the Fredricksburg Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Txgator15 Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 I know vinegar will eat away at the limestone but will also eat the fossil, so I will be interested in seeing what answers you will get. For some I have used my engraver to highlight the shell and using a brush, have brushed on vinegar to smooth the rock area I have chipped away (Does that make sense?) TxGator 15 "The older I get, the more into fossils I become...Coincidence?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 Second, As I was reading old threads I saw a collection that had a clump of sediment with many of the shell creatures protruding from the top. Is there something I can soak the clumps of fossils to eat away some of the sediment but not the fossil? If you find the "Magic" solution to preform this task, and "Patten" it...You'll become a millionaire overnight If you want to get into fossil preparation you will quickly discover there are many tools and solutions available to preform "Specific" tasks AND depending on the quality of preparation you desire...You can easily spend a ton of money acquiring various tools Speaking from Experience: There's just no magic solution or magic all-in-one tool If your looking for advise on how to prepare a specific fossil with with the equipment you have on hand....Post a picture and describe the matrix as to its density and other characteristics. Only then, will those with experience, be able to offer suggestions Flash from the Past (Show Us Your Fossils)MAPS Fossil Show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
central texas Posted September 28, 2011 Author Share Posted September 28, 2011 (edited) If you find the "Magic" solution to preform this task, and "Patten" it...You'll become a millionaire overnight Thank you Indy. It seems nothing is simple in the Fossil world. This sediment is what I'm wondering about. How could some of the surface fossils be detached or if it's even worth the trouble to even try. I'm sorry I forgot to add something to scale the rock but they are a little smaller than bowling ball size. Thanks. Addition: Rocks are from Central Texas Cretaceous inland sea. Edited September 29, 2011 by central texas --- Bob Smith Central Texas Cretaceous 31°02'54.27N - 97°55'56.08W . Large map of the formations where I am located http://tinyurl.com/3ral5cy . mid Cretaceous (~100 m.y.) . Border of the Trinity Group and the Fredricksburg / L. Washita Groups Walnut Clay Formation in the Fredricksburg Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeD Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Bob, that stuff isn't coming out of that rock, at least not without a fight. Mechanical means is the only way to get at it and it can be tough. It will also damage the surrounding fossils. Those kind of oysters aren't worth the trouble. Nature's erosion seems to be the best way. Rain will eventually dissolve the matrix, but it takes a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Bob, that stuff isn't coming out of that rock, at least not without a fight. I don't think that stuff will come out with dynamite Flash from the Past (Show Us Your Fossils)MAPS Fossil Show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Ha - no, either explosives or jackhammer... mini-jackhammer that is, ie airscribe, Chicago Pneumatic 9361 or similar. But only if there is a specific fossil in the rock that is worth the effort! I dont know if that particular type of matrix will dissolve in any substance without the fossils also being affected, but who knows.. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
central texas Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 Thank you all. I'm just trying to learn the tricks of the trade. Those are definitely going into the flower garden, as is. --- Bob Smith Central Texas Cretaceous 31°02'54.27N - 97°55'56.08W . Large map of the formations where I am located http://tinyurl.com/3ral5cy . mid Cretaceous (~100 m.y.) . Border of the Trinity Group and the Fredricksburg / L. Washita Groups Walnut Clay Formation in the Fredricksburg Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracer Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 toenail oyster hash commingled with limestone is a texas tradition. learn to love it as it is, cuz life is too short to waste it trying to disassemble that stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 My only other suggestion is to go out and break a lot of rock until you get some that pop out without need for prepping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 Just had a thought (believe it or not): if that stuff is limestone, are the fossils siliceous (non-calcareous), and if so, wouldnt a muriatic solution break down the matrix and release the fossils? Not that I would go thru the trouble if the fossils are wave-worn fragments of shells, but if there is any hint of complete valves anywhere in that stuff I would give it a try. For fossils in sandstone, michigantim has posted a link in this thread http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php/topic/25576-fossil-cleaning/ (scroll down a bit) to a paper explaining an experimental chemical method for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracer Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 muriatic acid is not a good thing to put on this stuff. nothing is. if you just want an isolated oyster or three, there are usually plenty loose ones found somewhere near the bazillions of them embedded in limestone. but they are usually sufficiently married to their matrix that til way after death them don't part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Hmm.. you mean to say muriatic acid doesnt affect the limestone matrix, or that it does affect the fossil? But you're right, if there are loose ones to be found nearby then that would be the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
central texas Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 Thanks to all of you. I'm not going to try to remove them, they're actually kind of pretty just the way they are. --- Bob Smith Central Texas Cretaceous 31°02'54.27N - 97°55'56.08W . Large map of the formations where I am located http://tinyurl.com/3ral5cy . mid Cretaceous (~100 m.y.) . Border of the Trinity Group and the Fredricksburg / L. Washita Groups Walnut Clay Formation in the Fredricksburg Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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