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Vermiceras

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The fossil was broken into several pieces and can now be prepared
after having them glued back together

The fossil was broken into several pieces
and can now be prepared after
having them glued back together

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The matrix got shaped and the preparation has begun

The matrix got shaped and the preparation has begun

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The fossil is revealed from the rock step by step

The fossil is revealed from the rock step by step

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As a final task, the matrix around the ammonite is smoothened

As a final task, the matrix around the
ammonite is smoothened

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The preparation took 14 hours of very careful work

The preparation took 14 hours of very careful work

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This piece is an ammonite found in a hard and splintery limestone bed of the Southern German Liassic. Fossils from this layer are quite hard to prepare without a lot of patience and skill. Otherwise it would result in spalling and unsightly damages. 

After creating the show pieces from the big initial chunks through hitting with a hammer and a standing area through sawing, the preparation was started.  Besides, needles, airscribes and a milling cutter a sand blaster was used. Lastly, to cover up small imperfections, the matrix was filled up and smoothed. Looking at the finished piece it is hard to imagine such a hard preparation work.

Fossil: Vermiceras rotarium 

Locality: Stuttgart-Vaihingen (Germany)

Formation: Liassic

Diameter of the ammonite: 9 cm

Collection: Rainer Albert

Work required: 14 hours

The specimen and its preparation were published on the Steinkern website in 2016:

FREITAG, P. ; ALBERT, R. (2016): Fund und Präparation eines Vermiceras rotarium aus dem Unteren Sinemurium (conybeari-Subzone) von Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Steinkern.de, Rubrik: Präparation und Bergung. Link zum Artikel: https://www.steinkern.de/praeparation-und-bergung/tips-tricks-und-fallbeispiele/1161-vermiceras-rotarium-aus-vaihingen.html