Newbie Collector - Displaying Fossils on a Shelf or Wall

[eightythree]

Hello All!

I've been fascinated with fossils since I was a child but it was only until recently I had the money to actually start collecting. I currently have a couple of Megalodon teeth and fish fossils from Lebanon in my collection. The fish fossils were pre-mounted but the Meg teeth are not. I was wondering what the best display/protection optoins are out there. I also want to pick up some dinosaur teeth as well, and like some suggestions on how to display those.

Also, has anyone bought from FossilEra or PaleoDirect? Are they legit operations and are their prices fair? I've been taking a look at these 2 fossils on FossilEra and wanted to know if it's a good price :

Edited March 7, 2016 by JohnJ
temporal dealer links removed

[Mombo]

I've shopped on Fossilera, I bought two fossil's as gifts from them. I found them to be pretty awesome. Prices were great and they were super friendly and helpful as well. I love browsing them and I believe (someone correct me) they also operate an educational site on paleontology as well.

As for displaying teeth. I don't have my teeth mounted, I prefer the ability for folks to handle them (I'm an environmental educator), but, I've seen places that have stands specifically for megalodon teeth and I've seen petri dishes used for smaller teeth.

[eightythree]

I've shopped on Fossilera, I bought two fossil's as gifts from them. I found them to be pretty awesome. Prices were great and they were super friendly and helpful as well. I love browsing them and I believe (someone correct me) they also operate an educational site on paleontology as well.

As for displaying teeth. I don't have my teeth mounted, I prefer the ability for folks to handle them (I'm an environmental educator), but, I've seen places that have stands specifically for megalodon teeth and I've seen petri dishes used for smaller teeth.

Thanks for the quick response! The Megalodon teeth came with these little plastic stands, which allows you to display them but they aren't very stable, and I'm worried my dog or someone will bump into the shelf and send em flying.

[Bguild]

Fossilera gets the thumbs up from me. I've bought a number of specimens from them. Their prices are great and they have very good customer service. They're up front about any restoration/repair that has been done to the specimens as well so you know what you are getting. Riker mounts are a pretty good way to display teeth. Some of my other teeth are on stands in my glass display case.

Edited March 7, 2016 by Bguild

[eightythree]

Fossilera gets the thumbs up from me. I've bought many specimens from them. Their prices are great and they have very good customer service. They're up front about an restoration/repair that has been done to the specimens as well so you know what you are getting. Riker mounts are a pretty good way to display teeth. Some of my other teeth are on stands in my glass display case.

Thanks for the reply! Is there a special place you purchase your stands from?

[Runner64]

I haven't bought from Fossilera in a while but I remember they were good when I bought from them. I recommend staying with Fossilera for now. I'm a dinosaur tooth collector and keep my teeth in riker mounts. Partially for storage and presentation but they also do a fine job at protecting them. I forgot where I bought mine from but I got 2 dozen for $30.

[Troodon]

I'll support the others with fossilera. That Carch tooth is very nice. I would also consider Indiana9fossils they have a good selection of dinosaur material and like fossilera trustworthy.

Rikers are a good and safe way to store teeth. A bit expensive but so are your teeth.

A source
http://www.chdisplay.com/rikermountswithwhitepolyfill.aspx

[Bguild]

Thanks for the reply! Is there a special place you purchase your stands from?

I haven't actually purchased stands online, but I remember coming across the website below in the past. Stones and Bones has riker mounts as well as some stands.

http://www.artdisplay.com/mineral-and-Fossil-stand.html

https://www.stonesbones.com/fossils-specimens-minerals/cases-stands/

Edited March 7, 2016 by Bguild

[Bguild]

Hello All!

I've been fascinated with fossils since I was a child but it was only until recently I had the money to actually start collecting. I currently have a couple of Megalodon teeth and fish fossils from Lebanon in my collection. The fish fossils were pre-mounted but the Meg teeth are not. I was wondering what the best display/protection optoins are out there. I also want to pick up some dinosaur teeth as well, and like some suggestions on how to display those.

Also, has anyone bought from FossilEra or PaleoDirect? Are they legit operations and are their prices fair? I've been taking a look at these 2 fossils on FossilEra and wanted to know if it's a good price :

I'm not seeing the prices of the teeth you linked. It seems they are already sold.

Here is a pretty good guide/starting point when considering teeth.

http://www.ebay.com/gds/Buying-Fossil-Dinosaur-Teeth-What-You-Should-Know-/10000000052928415/g.html

[caldigger]

One thing I kind of dislike about Riker mounts is I seem to always end up having to place an additional backing of foam rubber under the poly fill sheet. Otherwise my items tend to slip around in the box due to lack of support. I wish they would come with thicker padding or something of the like. I do realize these things are generally classified as "butterfly" boxes, but come on, how many people use them for other displays other than insects. Maybe an industrial grade would be in order.

Just my 2 cent rant- sorry!

P.S. I display my Meg tooth on a rugged beach rock with dried seaweed attached, kinda looks like where it belongs.

Edited March 7, 2016 by caldigger

[JohnJ]

Hello All!

I've been fascinated with fossils since I was a child but it was only until recently I had the money to actually start collecting. I currently have a couple of Megalodon teeth and fish fossils from Lebanon in my collection. The fish fossils were pre-mounted but the Meg teeth are not. I was wondering what the best display/protection optoins are out there. I also want to pick up some dinosaur teeth as well, and like some suggestions on how to display those.

Also, has anyone bought from FossilEra or PaleoDirect? Are they legit operations and are their prices fair? I've been taking a look at these 2 fossils on FossilEra and wanted to know if it's a good price :

I've removed the dealer links to specific sale items. If you have a question about a particular fossil you are considering, then post photos to our forum and members will comment. Doing so also makes mentioning any particular dealers unnecessary.

I also remind our members that while we all have good reasons for our opinions, please refrain from any negative characterizations of any dealers. We would like to avoid any dealer accusations against TFF. Thanks.

[Auspex]

One thing I kind of dislike about Riker mounts is I seem to always end up having to place an additional backing of foam rubber under the poly fill sheet. Otherwise my items tend to slip around in the box due to lack of support. I wish they would come with thicker padding or something of the like. ..

Depends on the 'brand'; some are quite ample.

[eightythree]

I've removed the dealer links to specific sale items. If you have a question about a particular fossil you are considering, then post photos to our forum and members will comment. Doing so also makes mentioning any particular dealers unnecessary.

I also remind our members that while we all have good reasons for our opinions, please refrain from any negative characterizations of any dealers. We would like to avoid any dealer accusations against TFF. Thanks.

My apologies, I won't link to individual dealers. Also to everyone else thank you so much for the info!

[Mombo]

One key thing I need to note. No matter how you display your pieces, make sure they are labeled well! Especially if you have people looking at your pieces, having a label for your piece will go a long way.

Edited March 8, 2016 by Mombo

[Runner64]

One key thing I need to note. No matter how you display your pieces, make sure they are labeled well! Especially if you have people looking at your pieces, having a label for your piece will go a long way.

Yes keeping you fossils well documented is important. Especially the location it was found.

[caldigger]

P.S. I display my Meg tooth on a rugged beach rock with dried seaweed attached, kinda looks like where it belongs.

[SailingAlongToo]

I recommend keeping a label with the specimen and then keeping a separate log of info on all your specimens (detailed description, link to a photo, location found, price if you bought it, who you bought if from, etc.). That way if you lose a label you can recreate it. The log also helps with insurance issues, if you get to that point in your collecting career.

[-Andy-]

Here are some ways you could display your fossils with riker boxes

I have a thread full of my riker box collections if you're interested > http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/61260-my-riker-box-collections/

[Down under fossil hunter]

Great display Andy, looks just like a private museum!