Crawfordsville Fossil Crinoid Worth Thinking About

Description

In some of the underwater rifts, the competition must have been fierce, what with the silt filtering down through the water and the sun reflecting off the surface of the water. Some of these crinoids literally had to reach for new food to eat, stretch to get into the sun. For sure, darkness meant death. But a long stem wasn’t everything. It made walking difficult. The long stem was prone to snap in stirred water or be cut in two by shoals of hard fish. A long stem could break free from its holdfasts and drift in the water and drag across the indifferent sea bottom. Getting a new hold could not have been easy. Still, there was the need for the sun, and the bothersome shoulders of competitors. And so the crinoids sometimes grew enormously long columns, feet and feet of them upon which they developed increasingly complex heads, with appendages now, and more and more pinnules with which to feed and to feed better. But this is just speculation. Maybe educated speculation. It’s what we do and don’t know about these early animals which makes crinoids so much fun to collect and to study. The little pieces of information they offer and the facts they cannot give up. If you think about it, we’re a lot like the crinoids. Just as they did, we’ve placed the sentient parts of ourselves at one end of a very long cord; we call this cord a distribution system. Just as they were, we’re only lightly grounded to the earth out of which we rose. Sever that cord, disturb that ground, and we might just float off as they did—but with maybe less than holdfasts to reattach and sustain ourselves. Maybe we ought to think about that for a while. This incredible plate of three crinoids—a Gilbertsocrinus tuberosus (the one on a mile of stem), Histocrinus coreyi (also on long stem), and Paradichocrinus planus (without stem)—is superb for its presentation, preparation, and depth of exhumation. The plate measures approximately 9” x 8 1/2” x 7/8” and weighs 5 lbs., 5.1 ounces. Free US shipping only.
A note about fossils: While there are many fakes and forgeries on the market—and you need to be careful when purchasing fossils—I am confident of my sourcing and preparation. To be clear, nearly all fossils on the market are restored to some degree in preparation. But this kind of preparation is different from faking and/or misrepresenting fossils, which is usually but not always done to deceive or mislead buyers. That is why the skill and judgment of the preparer are so important—for there is a fine line between the restoration and forgery of fossils. That’s why I am not able to discern for YOU where exactly that line is drawn. Speaking for myself, restoration and repair of cracks, wear, dangerously thin plates, and “bite” marks are acceptable so long as they don't change or misrepresent the original fossil find. So, too, are the careful use of pigments and clear non-yellowing sealants which are used to protect and finish the fossil. I have seen hundreds and even thousands of "raw" fossils from the sites represented among my offerings. Some are nearly impeccable, but are dull in appearance until they have been sealed. Others have fragile plates, wear spots, or "bite" marks which, to my way of thinking, the preparer needs to address. And it’s not easy. If they do too much, they risk ruining the fossil, and, if they do not do enough, the fossil doesn't look as nice as it might—which, to my mind, makes the piece less desirable. So before you purchase a fossil from me, please look very closely at the pictures. If you see something you do not like, then please do NOT purchase the fossil. My aim is to offer only the very best fossils—those in the top 5% of all fossils taken—from exciting and exclusive sites. But, in the end, it is YOU who must be pleased. If you are not, please re-read my return policy above. I’m not wanting anyone to feel saddled with something they don’t like.
My Return Policy
Please know that I like to work by the old Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. So, if after you receive your item, you determine that it is either inconsistent with the item description or with its photographs, simply return the item—in its original condition and within 14 days of purchase—and I will refund the entirety of your purchase price. If you’re not happy, I am not happy. Easy, right?