How to Display a Fossil Collection

You've worked long and hard to locate, identify and catalog your fossil collection. It would be a pity not to be able to share your finds with others. However, if you keep your fossils in a cigar box under your bed, then your collection may not reflect the enthusiasm generated while you created it. With a little creativity and a few simple materials, you can put your complete fossil collection on display and give it the dignity it deserves.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fossil collection
• Display boxes

Learn How to Display A Fossil Collection

1. Put your fossils, not the dirt that came with them, on display. Gently brush away excess dirt and debris with a soft-bristled brush. An artist's brush purchased from an art supply store would do nicely. So would an inexpensive makeup brush from any drugstore.

2. Remove excess salt from fossils found on the beach by soaking them for a few minutes in plain, cool water and allowing them to air dry. However, if your beach-side fossil is fragile, then the brush method may be better employed. Also, if your fossil contains any clay, do not soak it or it may fall apart.

3. Mend or reinforce your fossils with glue or varnish, if needed. Many fossil enthusiasts swear by Elmer's Glue. However, if your fossils need extensive restoration, or if you want to take a look at restoration tools and techniques, visit Crystal World online (see Resources below).

4. Realize that fancy, expensive display cases are not necessary to show off your fossils. Craft stores sell plain, cardboard boxes with lids for decoupage projects which are fine for storage. The lid is useful to not only keep your fossil safe, but to provide a space to add a label to identify the fossil.

5. Step up your fossil collection display by mounting the fossils in glass or plastic cases designed for jewelry, if you wish. You can locate these display cases from jewelry wholesalers.

6. Keep to the middle of the road by using plain trays from a retailer like Two Guys Fossils to display your fossil collection (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Fossils containing iron pyrites may begin to decompose when exposed to oxygen. If you cannot store these specimens in an air-tight display, then apply a coat of clear varnish to them to stop the oxygenation process.

Resources

• Sample fossil preparation and restoration at Crystal World
• Two Guys Fossils display cases