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The Best Way to Preserve Fossils

For the amateur fossil hunter, there is nothing more exciting than finding a well-preserved and intact fossil. Considering that fossils have been preserved inside of the earth for millions of years, one would think that they would be hard to destroy. However, if a newly extracted fossil is not properly cared for and preserved, the imprint on the rock can quickly wear away. Follow these tips to make sure your fossil will look perfect for years to come.

Things You'll Need

Fossils
Paper towels
Water
Newspaper
Tape
Chisel
Table saw
Bleach
Soft bristled brush
Box with multiple compartments

Instructions

- 1
  Wrap the fossil in a few layers of wet paper towels once it has been exposed. Then, wrap the paper towels in a few sheets of newsprint and tape the newspaper to secure it. This both protects the rock from getting chipped during travel and mimics the conditions of the inside of the earth.
- 2
  Expose any hidden parts of the fossil. Use a manual or electric chisel to break off any excess parts of the fossil.
- 3
  Isolate the part of the rock with the fossil imprint by cutting the rock. Affix a diamond cutting blade onto a table saw and use this extra sharp blade to remove the pieces of rock you do not want to keep.
- 4
  Clean the fossil once you get it home. If the fossil came from the ocean, remove salt residue by soaking it in a very weak bleach solution of one capful in a gallon or more of water. If it came from sandstone, brush the fossil with a soft brush, and clean off any stains with soapy water.
- 5
  Repair any cracks or breaks. Use a glue that is either specially made for fossils, or a regular household white glue to carefully glue any broken parts back onto the fossil.
- 6
  Store your fossil in a box where it cannot get scraped or chipped.

Rocks & Minerals