PYRITISED WOOD (HELP)

[0dinofthenorth]

How should I preserve Pyritised wood? At the moment some of it has oxidised. It is in an old bucket full of water. When I take it out later what would you do? Some people have said coat it in wax, others varnish it. What is the best way to preserve it????

[Everhardus]

Hi,
I'm no expert but i don't think it's a good idea to leave it in the water. Check this link : http://www.sheppeyfossils.com/pages/pdf ... yrite2.pdf

You might even want to contact Fred, he's a really nice guy, he might want to be of some assistance. I have a few finds covered with varnish, i don't prefer this method at all, at least for ammonites.
I've had some good results with Fred's "Sally Hansons" method, looks really nice on Gault ammonites
At the moment i prefer a mixture of paraloid/acetone but it depends on the type of fossil as well and the location it was found.
You might want to remove as much as possible of the oxidated parts as well. Before i soak my ammonites in paraloid/acetone i soak them in ammonia, a tip i got recently, to kill bacteria who seem to play a role in pyrite-rot.
There's no guarantee all of this works, but i haven't lost any specimens yet.
One more tip, i assume you find most of your fossils in the UK, why not ask these questions on the UK-fossilforum. They might be of more assistance to you, you defenitely won't have a language problem....
All the best,Marcel

[Bewerkt door Everhardus op 09-11-2010 om 00:40 NL]

[0dinofthenorth]

Hi, thanks for the link. I already have posted it on the English forum. http://english.fossiel.net/forums/viewt ... icID=11453
I'll contact Fred if I don't get any more results.

[Editted by 0dinofthenorth on 10-11-2010 at 09:57 GMT +1]

[0dinofthenorth]

Everhardus wrote:
Hi,
I'm no expert but i don't think it's a good idea to leave it in the water. Check this link : http://www.sheppeyfossils.com/pages/pdf ... yrite2.pdf

You might even want to contact Fred, he's a really nice guy, he might want to be of some assistance. I have a few finds covered with varnish, i don't prefer this method at all, at least for ammonites.
I've had some good results with Fred's "Sally Hansons" method, looks really nice on Gault ammonites
At the moment i prefer a mixture of paraloid/acetone but it depends on the type of fossil as well and the location it was found.
You might want to remove as much as possible of the oxidated parts as well. Before i soak my ammonites in paraloid/acetone i soak them in ammonia, a tip i got recently, to kill bacteria who seem to play a role in pyrite-rot.
There's no guarantee all of this works, but i haven't lost any specimens yet.
One more tip, i assume you find most of your fossils in the UK, why not ask these questions on the UK-fossilforum. They might be of more assistance to you, you defenitely won't have a language problem....
All the best,Marcel

[Bewerkt door Everhardus op 09-11-2010 om 00:40 NL]

1. How do I find Fred's email adress?
2. I can't join the UK fossil forum as I'm too young, although I would love to be part of it now!

[Everhardus]

Hi,
http://www.sheppeyfossils.com/pages/contents_page.htm
Just look under "contact me"

[0dinofthenorth]

Thank you!!!:D

[0dinofthenorth]

I have been told to varnish it with matt varnish. Would this help?

[Everhardus]

It would at least slow the proces down. There are a number of methods, it's really trial and error i guess....
Marcel

[0dinofthenorth]

OK, I'll try that. I will not collect any more in the future. That is for sure.
Gr
Thomas.

[Editted by 0dinofthenorth on 08-12-2010 at 18:20 GMT +1]

[0dinofthenorth]

I know not to collect this stuff anymore!