Fossils

jokermgp · 03-16-2004, 12:56 PM

Does anyone know of a good fossil dealer in the N Georgia area? I'm looking to add a nice big trilobite to my collection. I've seen some nice specimens online, but I'd rather deal with a local vendor.

Cheers...Michael

phishschtick · 03-16-2004, 01:01 PM

I believe that Charles (ckreef) has a huge collection...he may know of a dealer...

I know of a nearby road cut where I have found small trilobites if you're interested in collecting yourself. I can draw you a secret map

jokermgp · 03-16-2004, 01:10 PM

Thanks for the offer! I've sent you a PM with my email address for that secret map. Who knows, maybe this'll turn into a field trip for extinct and extant inverts!

Cheers...Michael

SShindell · 03-16-2004, 04:01 PM

I would be interested also -- my 5 year old daughter is quite the rockhound and keeps asking to go looking for fossils.

Steve

mantisshrimp · 03-16-2004, 04:33 PM

I want some trilobites!PM me too!!

Stanfill Reef · 03-16-2004, 04:40 PM

Trilobites...weren't they the fuzzy things that hated Romulans in Star Trek?

ckreef · 03-16-2004, 06:53 PM

Michael

I do have a rather extensive fossil collection --- all of them I collected myself. I don't have many trilobites in this collection but I do have a lot of other cool fossils.

I would probably be willing to let a small collection go for a resonable price or maybe swap for some reef equipment. If your interested PM me. This would be more for someone wanting to expand their current fossil collection not somebody wishing to buy that one prize specimen.

phishschtick · 03-16-2004, 09:06 PM

Here is the PM I sent to Michael:::>

Michael, the location may be unsafe for a 6 year old.... Also this is not a clay pit but it is the big ridge cut up 75 North before you cross the TN line. I scaled the western terraces and found stuff up at the second level. There are many brachipods (sp) and some trilobites...the trilobites are not obvious and are found only once a rock is fractured open.... only luck produces a nice specimen.

for me it was clearly just the fun of the search... not specifically the quality. I did have to purchase a better one for myself years ago.... but the find is a neat feeling. Also it may be illegal to scale the terraces...but I did anyways.... call if you would like to discuss more.... 706-277-8109.

ckreef · 03-16-2004, 09:21 PM

I have hunted many days for the ever elusive trilobite. If you are not doing it for the fun of the hunt then you need to go buy one.

In all the time I have searched for tilobites I have beat down lots and lots of rocks with much sweat and blood left on the hill sides. All in all I have only come away with a small handfull of nice specimens. Many, many pieces but very few really good whole ones. If you value your time as money and are loking for that nice specimen then find a dealer.

GeoJoe · 03-16-2004, 10:35 PM

seen this?

http://www.trilobites.com/site/index.cfm?

ckreef · 03-16-2004, 10:53 PM

IMO if you didn't leave some sweat and blood on the hillside to get the trilobite then it will never get displayed in my fossil cabinet --- and I do have a few store bought ones --- they just don't get a position on display.

Lifestudent · 03-16-2004, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GeoJoe
seen this?

http://www.trilobites.com/site/index.cfm?

The internet is truely an a-m-a-z-i-n-g place!

I'll have to show Zach that website!

Thanks guys!!!

Bob

jokermgp · 03-17-2004, 07:07 AM

Thanks everyone. I have seen the trilobites.com site and they seem to have an amazing selection of fossils and their prices seem reasonable. In addition, Sam Gon, who's Pictoral Guide to the Orders of Trilobites is a gem, recommended them as well.

Charles - I hear what you're saying, but work and family life (not to mention - though I will - keeping up with my aquariums) leave me little time for digging up fossils. I'm hoping that when my son gets to be 9 or 10 years old we can go on one of the fossil hunting vacations I've read about.

I'm really only looking to pick up one or two choice specimans as my house is already over flowing with tanks, books and prehistoric fauna models.

Right now the only fossil I have out on display is a pipefish mortality plate. I think a small display of fossil marine life would nicely tie my paleo and extant marine life interests together.

Cheers...Michael

GeoJoe · 03-17-2004, 07:56 AM

Hi again,

I picked this guy up at the Fernbank Gift Shop. http://www.fernbank.edu/museum/store.html

Not too expensive either... under $25 if I remember. We got this one because he looks like he's going for a worm!

Also, I found this site with similar (but way more expensive) items.

http://www.mindspring.com/~charlie11/ffm.html

hesstondc · 03-17-2004, 08:33 AM

Fossils?

I didn't know people collected those. I have found several back home on accident (South Alabama).

I had an old sifting box and I would go down to the river and sift through sand a mud along the banks near creek beds. I have found sharks teeth and sometimes small bones inbeded in rock.

But I wasn't searching for them so I would normally just leave them there. I was after Arrow heads...Years ago I would walk freshley plowed fields for hours....Now that I am up here in Atlanta...I just can't seem to find a freshly plowed field....LOL.....

Try the sifting box method...Its fun but watch out for snakes.....