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Collections - J.P Oliveira
Specialized in collection Seashells the World and Fossils of Portugal
Fossils Topics - Preparation and Tools
More 20 years of fossil collecting...
My collection is composed of many and rare fossils from Portugal, discovered and prepared by me. Over more than 20 years, I have been gathering an extraordinary paleontological collection from the periods (Jurassic, Cretaceous, Miocene), particularly the Upper Jurassic and Miocene. With time and some knowledge, I became an expert on Dinosaur fossils from the Upper Jurassic period.
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Fossils of Portugal - For Sale
Fossil Topics - Part one » Preparation and Tools
Introduction
The fossils in my collection (fossils from Portugal) were all discovered and prepared by me. I am not a professional expert in fossil preparation, but I have good sufficient knowledge to also venture into the area of preparation and conservation. Some time ago, I acquired specialized equipment for preparing fossils. They are expensive “toys”, but this puts the work of preparing the fossils on another level of speed and perfection, removing any remaining matrix to clean the fossils.
Preparation of three articulated vertebrae
For almost two years, I did voluntary work preparing fossils at the Lourinhã Museum. This event was part of my school in fossil preparation and preservation techniques.I also donated fossils to the Museum and reported on several discoveries I made. Unfortunately and to my great regret, the continuation of my volunteer work became incompatible with the interests of the Museum and my own interests...
My personal opinion on fossil preparation
My fossils are all prepared by me. They are simply cleaned from the matrix, solidified and made with minimal cosmetic repairs. I am absolutely against counterfeiting, or artificial arrangements in the "Frankenstein" style. My fossils are 100% natural.
The preparation of a fossil is a very delicate and time-consuming process, especially when wants to obtain excellent results. Many collectors are big fans of field collections, but they have no way or patience for the preparation of fossils...
Personally, I think this part one of the most gratifying of the whole process. To return to "Life" a certain fossil. which was once a living animal, is something sublime...
Preparation of two Sauropod caudal vertebrae
When I started my collection of fossils, I had no idea of the concept of fossil preparation. Most collectors, too, do not have... This lack of initial knowledge led me to irremediably destroy some fossils. The preparation it requires anatomical knowledge of the fossil in which one is going to work and an enormous degree of patience. Anatomic, because only then can be known with some degree of certainty, in what may or may not be the fossil. Often the fossil of the matrix is hardly distinguishable... Patience, because as a rule a fossil can take many hours, days or months to clean... patience is fundamental.
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Discovery and preparation of a theropod tooth
Fossils of Portulgal
Various photo galleries - direct links
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Fossil Topics - Part one » Preparation and Tools
Tools and accessories of Preparation
Almost everything can be used to clean fossils...
I started with the most basic things that can be arranged. Since old toothbrushes, to simple watchmakers` keys, needles, small chisels, hammers, steel brushes, and others. Almost everything can be used, depending on the result you want and the fossil you are working on... the result can be more or less good, depending on the way and the requirement of each one. As fossil preparation work becomes more demanding and evolutionary, the simplest tools are no longer as effective...
Preparation of a Sauropod bone
Currently I work with the famous Pen, or simply micro pneumatic hammers. These quality tools are usually not cheap, but they are indispensable for those who want to advance another level in the preparation of fossils. Then comes many other specialized tools for certain jobs in certain kind of fossils. The specific tools can exceed hundreds of euros. Everything can be good, when the result justifies the investment...
Pneumatic micro-hammer (PEN), with fine tungsten tip
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Preparation of a Sea Turtle
Discovery and preparation of a tooth of Torvosaurus gurneyi. Monster with 142.10mm. 2022
Some suggestions »
Preparing fossils is delicate work, which requires lots and lots of patience, knowledge of tools and some knack for manual work. Depending on the fossil we are working on, matrix removal or solidification most often requires a different approach from fossil to fossil. Before starting preparation, the natural preservation of the fossil must be taken into account and the degree of solidity of the matrix that surrounds. It is also very important to define how we want to leave the fossil. You can remove the fossil completely from the matrix (when possible), or leave it partially exposed in the matrix after it has been properly prepared and solidified...
Whatever decision want to make in the final result of exhibiting a fossil, it is very important not to go beyond our own capabilities, either because we do not have the appropriate tools for a particular more complex or delicate job, or because we do not have the capabilities techniques for completing adequate preparatory work on a particular fossil. Because a bad decision will define the final result of preservation and beauty of a fossil, which can result in a wonderful work, or turn into an irremediable disaster...
Fossil Topics - Part two » Lourinhã Formation and Classification
Discovery of a set of 3 articulated vertebrae. 2018
About fossils of Portugal
"Collecting and finding fossils can be a very interesting hobby. In both cases, it requires some technical knowledge to be able to enjoy in full the pleasure that the fossils can give us...
More than 20 years I have traveled fossils from various geological periods. The collect of fossils, in particular fossils of Dinosaurs, along the coast of Portugal by the sea, with big slopes and high cliffs, is a great challenge and high security risk. Only the crazy, adventure in these dangerous adventures. I am one of those few crazy who do this, with great pleasure..."
Fossils an Shells Topics » Shells Topics
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Fusiturris similis (Bivona, 1838). Seashells of Portugal
"In Shells Topics, will approach the various questions related to the Shells of the World. The Topic is divided into two parts. As a shells collector, preparator and hunter, I think it is important to share my knowledge with other collectors , or with other people who are simply interested in learning some techniques on the subject of shells collecting and preparation..."
NEWSLETTER: The 23th of July 2024, Portugal
Dear friends, collectors, or simply visitors. Once again I'm remodeling my website, in a final and possible format... When everything is totally remodeled, it will have an aspect much more pleasant and easier to navigate through the pages. Many and new content are being added. New pages. New photos with quality. The description of new Fossils and Shells. In the end it will almost be a new website...