A partially pyritized fossil and a big blue glass button!

[HMS Beagle]

I was supposed to pick up my first detector this weekend( ace 250). Well that didn't happen and I was bummed. So I grabbed my hammer, chisel and my shovel, and went to my local fossil deposit and a nice old dump.
It wasn't too bad of a day, I got about 50 decent pyrite nodules, a couple of nice bottles(the nods and bottles are being cleaned, pics later), a small partially pyritized fossil (ID anyone?) and 1 large blue glass button.
Beagle

Bottom

End view showing fossil folded over

Top view

And of course, The Big Blue button

 

[texan connection]

Wow thats a cool button, Found alot of bone ones but never a glass one.

 

[TeddyB1967]

Cool Fossil, looks like a Trilobite but I'm no fossil expert by any means.

Here's a couple links that show some pics of them that may help ID what you have

http://www.fossilmall.com/About-Trilobites.htm

http://www.fossilicious.com/Trilobites-c-249.html

http://search.ebay.com/fossil-trilobite_W0QQfnuZ1QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ3QQsascsZ1

 

[Treasure Tom]

Hi Beagle!

Nice trilobite fossil! The bottom view shows the head, you can actually see the two eyes protruding through the matrix. The tail can be seen in the top view. If the matrix is removed you should see the entire trilobite.

Tom

 

[Colonial Copper Zeus]

Cool Trilobite, My new wife and I were talking the other day about going fossil hunting. This gets me interested. My area is world renowned for having the first fish to crawl out of the seas.

 

[HMS Beagle]

Thanks for the ID. I was reasonably sure it is a trilobyte. Unfortunately, the matrix is pyrite and I don't know how to remove it without destroying the fossil.
Beagle

 

[Bavaria Mike]

Nice finds and it does look like a Trilobyte! When I first started detecting about 18 years ago, I found a ghost town at the edge of a military training area near by, a cellar with an arched ceiling had a huge Trilobyte embedded into it, I did not take it for fear of collapsing the cellar roof. I did not know what I was doing with a detector then and have looked for the site as recent as 3 weeks ago and can not find it, even talked to some of the locals close by. It's a lost ghost town. HH, Mike

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

That's a beaut! It's what is called an "enrolled" position (probably defensive but could have occurred in death).

I wouldn't try to remove the matrix around it. Screw up and you'll damage it. Might also uncover it was a chewed up and damaged trilobite when freshly dead or discover it's just a shed exoskeleton.

 

[Dman]

Nice fossil. I don't know what it is but good find.
Dman

 

[HMS Beagle]

Thanks everyone,
I really don't have any desire to remove the pyrite. I will leave it as found.
Thanks again
Beagle

 

[dgaughan]

nice finds congrats and good luck detecting

 

[Treasure Tom]

Hi Beagle!

If the matrix is pyrite it would be difficult to remove and it is better to leave the fossil as it is, you don't want to damage the fossil. I had really nice ammonite (Neophylloceras) that shattered into several pieces with a few small pieces missing. It was professional restored and does not even look like it "exploded" (from splitting the rock open).

Sorry, I should have mentioned that if you want the matrix removed, then you should ask a professional if it can be done without damaging the fossil. You don't want to damage a fossil, especially if it is rare. Keep posting your great finds!

Tom

 

[lamplighter36]

Beag,

That Trilo in Pyrite matrix is the absolute coolest! I love it when fossils hunting and crystal collecting converge. That find is sweet.

If you find another one like that i would offer a trade of a fossilized clamshell with calcite crystals I have. PM me if you would like to see a pic.

your specimen is really fantastic, and I would imagine quite a collectors item?!

-thomas

 

[RUDY2003]

That is a great fossil Beagle! Really nice find.

Keep safe...