Pumpkinhead Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 I've got a similar problem to what PaleoWilliam is experiencing- A straight shelled nautiloid encased in hard dolomite. I'm wondering if there's anyway I can get it out, or if it is truly "one with the matrix..." Any suggestions, either chemical or physical, are welcome. I'll post pictures soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumpkinhead Posted August 25, 2015 Author Share Posted August 25, 2015 Making matters worse, part of the slab of rock that the fossil is in is a really weathered colonial rugose. There's a reason those things secreted calcareous skeletons- it makes them a lot harder to destroy or remove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Dolestone is a bear, thats why its used as a building stone. If you dont have too much to remove a Dremel engraver $20, will remove it, eventually. A small cold chisel will remove larger sections with caution. I did a 6" ammonite that way 1/2 covered with matrix, took about a week. 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...
Herb Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 (edited) this is what the ammonite looks like after a week of work with a small cold chisel and a Dremel engraving tool ($20) and a wire brush. Edited August 25, 2015 by Herb "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...
Ludwigia Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 (edited) Like Herb says, dolomite is a pain in the petutti and is often "at one", as you say, with any fossils in it, since the fossils get dolomitized along with the rock. So you're dealing with the same substance, often with no separating layer. We'd have to see pics to make a judgement. Edited August 25, 2015 by Ludwigia Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Pocock Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 I would go with the Dremil and cold chisel, tried and tested method, as long as you take your time. Regards Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumpkinhead Posted August 26, 2015 Author Share Posted August 26, 2015 Nice ammo, Herb. Thanks for all the replies. I'll try and get a picture up tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Hey Pumkinhead, ive done a heck of a lot of fossil prep the last 20 some years, but I can see I don't want to mess with that! Good luck. RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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