How to Protect Fossils

Pick your fossil up carefully in one hand and use a combination of a soft-haired brush and blowing through your mouth to remove any excess dust and gravel. This ensures that when you pack your fossil there won't be any dust or grit on the surface which can cause damage over time. Always exercise caution when using a brush, making sure you do not snap the fossil and the brush does not leave any marks on the fossil's surface.

Cut out an appropriately sized sheet of aluminum foil --- the size you cut the sheet to will depend upon the size of the fossil, but the object is to completely wrap the fossil. Find a flat, smooth surface and lay down your aluminum foil before placing the fossil on top and determining how much foil you will need. Cut your foil and wrap your fossil tightly, taking care not to damage or break the fossil. Once wrapped, the foil should be tight, with any excess cut away.

Repeat the aluminum cutting process with a sheet of foam. Lay your aluminum-wrapped fossil out on the foam sheet before determining how much foam sheeting you will need. The object here is to wrap the fossil so it is as protected as possible. The more layers of foam sheet the safer your item will be. Using the flat surface, wrap your aluminum-covered fossil with foam before using elastic bands to keep the foam sheet in place. Once again, exercise caution when performing this stage of the wrapping process to ensure no damage is caused to your fossils.

Use glue on any broken fossils in order to repair them. This is a measure of last resort in the event that you snap a fossil in two pieces, and is not feasible if you shatter the fossil or break it in several different places. Apply a small coating of quick-setting industrial-strength glue or epoxy to one half of the broken fossil before gently pressing the two pieces together. Use your elastic bands to keep the two pieces together and allow the adhesive time to form a bond. Wipe away any excess glue that leaks out of the seal with a glue cloth.