Guest GreatLakesLady Posted October 15, 2016 Share Posted October 15, 2016 Hi, I recently found several small stromatoporoid fossils while hiking in an area of glacial kames, NE Illinois. The fossils I find here have been buried in silt, sand and clay for about a hundred thousand years, and they're sponges! But I love them! They're entirely silicified, vinegar, clr, and muriatic acid does nothing to them. They aren't in matrix, they're just very, VERY, dirty. I may have to accept some as they are, but was hoping a could do more for the ones that are less porous. Already soaked them in SIO and it did whiten them a bit. First pics are before SIO soak. I've been reading about oxalic acid, boiling, chlorine bleach, H2O2...not sure if anything else will work besides patience and a toothbrush... *Also, this is just a hobby so I don't have any equipment other than a dremel, some picks and wire brushes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPS Ammonite Posted October 15, 2016 Share Posted October 15, 2016 Soak it in hydrogen peroxide (Walmart has the best price) and then brush it with a toothbrush. The bubbles really help to get the dirt out of the nooks. 1 My goal is to leave no stone or fossil unturned. See my Arizona Paleontology Guide link The best single resource for Arizona paleontology anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted October 15, 2016 Share Posted October 15, 2016 Also, you might give an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner a try. They can sometimes loosen the dirt in the nooks and crannies. Good luck. Regards, Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 IPFOTM -- MAY - 2024 _________________________________________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members Michelle Truelove Posted April 20, 2023 New Members Share Posted April 20, 2023 You also have a nice piece of horn coral fossil, it's the stringy looking one, they kind of look like a mop head! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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