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]

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.

[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.