A Marine Fossil Project Options

[swizz]

I collected this in northern Colorado earlier this year from a layer that has always been productive for me.
It is a fairly good sized Ammonite and I believe more than 50% of it is there but still encased in layers. I haven't cleaned any of this piece yet nor tried to extract anything, this is how it came out of the earth.
I have a conundrum because.... the closer I look, the more little treasures I see protruding from the layers that are protecting the Ammonite. For example, if you zoom the first image and look at the upper right area... there's part of a small black tooth with it's jawbone/gumline exposed. There are also tubeworm or nymph fossils partially exposed. I want to see more of the Ammonite but it'll be a tricky extraction as these other tidbits are equally interesting.
I may start with just warm soapy water and a toothbrush.
20141113_085426 by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

20141113_085449 by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

[swizz]

Here are some closer looks at what I mean.
Tooth
20141113_091324 by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

??
20141113_091422 by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

Tubewoms, Nymphs, or tiny Crustaceans (segmented bodies)
20141113_091540 by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

[Crusty]

Definitely makes it tougher to get to the good stuff. I guess you could look at the "extra bits" as flour gold, you might sacrifice some of it to get to the good stuff, but the good stuff is what you want.

Look forward to seeing what you come up with!

[swizz]

I'm not sure how good that Ammonite is gonna be as a specimen or if the matrix will allow it, kinda brittle. It'll be an interesting journey.
Now.... if there's "Ammolite" in there.... that's a different ballgame.

[Denise]

Very cool fossil find Chris! It's kind of like the combo piece, should it be altered or not....
I personally think it should be left as is! Excellent example of some of the cool fossil specimens found here in Colorado!

[swizz]

I'll know better what it looks like after I give it a good scrubbin. If it looks good nuff I may just leave it!
Unfortunately I broke my textile gun a couple years ago. I think that the proper tool would be various sizes of needle guns but I don't have that fancy stuff. I want to at least get that tooth out of there somehow. That's rare.... I've never found one anywhere near that area and would like to ID it out of extreme curiosity.
I also have another sample from that same layer which is much bigger. Maybe 2ft X 2ft and about 5 inches thick... well layered. No visible Ammonite on that one but maybe inside of it. It's outside under the snow now but I bet it has some interesting things in it also. I might get to that this winter too.
I gave Brandon and Erin a small layered piece from the same place when they were up at the CP outing. That may also have some cool stuff in it.

[Crusty]

wish you were closer, I'd gladly loan you my textile gun.

[CP]

Cool fossil finds Swizz , wonder if some small picks (like mechanics use or dental picks) might help do the trick. Let you pick at the little fractures delicately with a tiny point that has a handle. Careful of the finger tips though, that hurts!

Did your textile gun just quit pumping? I've had to rebuild ours and replace the spring which was broken in two pieces. Basically just had to pull it all apart, clean and lightly oil for assembly with a new spring. I found the replacement spring at the local hardware and have dimensions for that if you need. Has to be a good stiff one though!

Look forward to seeing how the fossils turn out what ever you do with them.

[swizz]

That's great advice on the picks Dan.... like tiny ice picks, I have those. That's a good tool to extract that tooth fossil for sure, and more.
I destroyed the textile gun by failing to clean vinegar out of it... I think I was spaying white vinegar though it. I took it apart and reassembled it but no-go. The engine hummed but no action. It found it's way to the dumpster. I'm gonna need a new one eventually. I think I'll research them a little better this time too. That one was China made and i think only about $50 but I bet there are way better guns out there. It's demise may have been a blessing in disguise? I dunno, just trying to keep the cup half full, lol. Wide open to brand suggestion for the next gun.

[MikeS]

Nice fossils swizz! I think that a gentle scrub and picks are the safer way to go for what you want to do. Very cool.

[Denise]

That's great advice on the picks Dan.... like tiny ice picks, I have those. That's a good plan to extract that tooth fossil for sure, and more.

Just like a guy to want to pick at it!

[swizz]

I can't help it..... curious!

[swizz]

A little bit of progress, mostly on the right hand side.
Working on this side with a small pick to pry layers and a dry toothbrush. May add water to the process soon, all of the loose stuff is off.
20141122_101213 by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

[Denise]

It's coming along nicely Chris!

[swizz]

Thanks!
Here's the flipside. I think that this will be the better side if I can remove that matrix but it's gonna be a slow process and tricky.
20141123_134016 by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

[swizz]

Here are some lil Clam fossils from the same formation that I cleaned up today.
North P Clam Fossils by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

[Denise]

Very sweet find Chris!! Keep those fossil pictures coming...love um!

[swizz]

Here is an unknown marine fossil I found the other day here in Grand County. It's matrix is a hard shale. I'm tempted to leave it as-is but will try and expose a little more. It looks to be one single clam shell with a few pronounced rib separations.
Unknown Marine Fossil by Chris Evenstad, on Flickr

[ASTROBLEME]

That's great advice on the picks Dan.... like tiny ice picks, I have those. That's a good tool to extract that tooth fossil for sure, and more.
I destroyed the textile gun by failing to clean vinegar out of it... I think I was spaying white vinegar though it. I took it apart and reassembled it but no-go. The engine hummed but no action. It found it's way to the dumpster. I'm gonna need a new one eventually. I think I'll research them a little better this time too. That one was China made and i think only about $50 but I bet there are way better guns out there. It's demise may have been a blessing in disguise? I dunno, just trying to keep the cup half full, lol. Wide open to brand suggestion for the next gun.

Hello swizz,

Nice finds! I'm wondering if an electric engraver tool would be of any use on your project. The one I have cost about $20 and is adjustable for the speed of vibration. It works OK on some of the fossils I've cleaned however, I've never used it on fossils embedded in hard shale before.

Keep up the good work. Really enjoy they pics you've put up.

[swizz]

Thanks Johnny! I like the engraving tool idea and think that I have one tucked away here somewhere.

[swizz]

I picked up another cluster yesterday. This is rough and not cleaned yet... may have some surprises... or may become another yard ornament.
Marine Fossil 9-12 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr

[Denise]

Wow, that's a sweet find Chris! I am going to bet that that one will look great and may hold a few surprises after a good cleaning!

[fenixsmom]

Great find!

[EMac]

That's really cool!