Trilobites are a common fossil that occurs worldwide. The trilobite received its name from the three lobes of its body, which run lengthwise from head to tail.
Trilobites once scurried across the ocean floor from the Cambrian (521 million years ago (mya)) to the Permian (252 mya) geological period. After this period, trilobites became extinct. The Oklahoma trilobites featured on our website were found in Coal County, Oklahoma, and date back to the Devonian period (359-415 mya). To view our Oklahoma trilobites for sale visit: https://fossilfanatics.com/product-category/oklahoma-trilobites/
The process of extracting these trilobites is intensive. First, slabs of limestone are excavated and subsequently broken using sledge or rock hammers. Afterward, distinctive longitudinal or cross-section patterns of the trilobite’s hard shell are identified within the fracture.
Next, the rock is glued back together. Then, a pneumatic scribe (seen in photo below) removes large amounts of matrix around the trilobite.
A micro-abrasive (like a mini-sandblaster) is used next to slowly erode the remaining matrix from the trilobite’s shell.
Care must be taken not to point the micro-abrasive wand directly at the trilobite; otherwise, the high pressure of the abrasive can burn a hole into the trilobite’s shell or blow off a spine. One never knows if the trilobite is complete during its preparation until it is completely exposed. After many hours of prep work, a trilobite’s head, tail, or thorax may be found missing, as many trilobites are molts. This is so frustrating!
After the trilobite has been revealed, the matrix surrounding it is “whitened” by running a scribe over the limestone matrix. This process smooths and lightens the matrix, effectively highlighting the trilobite and its brown calcite shell.
