Fossil Preparation - Calymene breviceps Trilobite using air abrasion tools

A quick timelapse video of the preparation of a lovely 3D trilobite which dates back to the middle Silurian 430 million years ago. This is a great example of a Calymene breviceps trilobite and comes from the Waldron Shale of St Paul, Illinois, USA. This timelapse is sped up by about 20x normal speed and I’m using a Comco micro-sandblaster on low pressure with Aluminum oxide as the abrasive. Aluminium oxide is an incredibly aggressive medium so you have to be super careful with this stuff not to blast through the fossil. I would normally use Dolomite for most fossil prep but this needed a stronger cutting agent. Enjoy!
#fossilprep #fossilpreparation #fossil #fossils #trilobite

[@maxconfusion6hello107]

I’m happy you post these videos. I always like seeing your process.

[@PalaeoArt]

Glad you like them!

[@kendra31]

This is something ive always wanted to do. I dont know if i ever will, because im not a paleontologist lol, but its satisfying enough for now to just watch you do it. I cant decide if i like the blade or air better. Theyre both great.

[@PalaeoArt]

Thanks for watching. Glad you like them

[@aserta]

If you wanna go at it, but feel like you don't have the nerve for the real deal, you can always buy a casting of a fossil, and put it inside a pouring of plaster died with gray or burnt umber. And then you can chip away the layers using something as basic as a sharpened nail (because it's softer than stone). Cheap, simple, easy to do at home. Perfect to satisfy the itch, ya know. :)

[@raygrange7312]

Beautiful.

[@PalaeoArt]

Thanks. This little trilobite turned out nice!

[@valiantwarrior4517]

Awesome. 🙂

[@asapjohnson7809]

This just blew my dang hat in the creek!! Where do I get me one of them there??

[@loveisthekey]

nice

[@JesusLopez-iq9jr]

Nice job, where do you get your unfinished pieces? is there an special site to get them or you go to the places where you find them?

[@fossilman123]

why doesn't the abrasive eat up the fossil?

[@bobainsworth]

What blast media are you using here?

[@shwetak1052]

Such beautiful...do you get paid or is it a hobby

[@PalaeoArt]

Just a hobby in the main

[@mrjj6738]

What do you use to polish the trilobite fossil? I have been looking for a polish for my trilobite.

[@Александр-ы1в2ш]

Hi friend! You can use beeswax or any other fusible wax for wood, but not paraffin-it forms a white coating.

[@charlesdu84]

Tool name and brand please:

[@badbuhdavic7088]

Fake