Q: Where do you get your fossils?
Q: What do you mean by the term “fossil preparation”?
Q: Do you paint the fossils to give them their color?
Q: Do other operators prepare their Green River Formation fossils in the same way?
Q: Are the pieces with more than one fish natural, or are they actually composites created artificially?
Q: Is there any kind of protective coating on your fossils?
Q: Can I expect any changes in the product over time?
Q: What makes your fossil fish different from others of the same kind on the market?
Q: Can you do custom work?
Q: What if I like a particular stone, but I don’t want the steel base, or I’d like a different style of base?
Q: Is that also why your pieces are more expensive than some?
Q: How long have you been in business?

Q: Where do you get your fossils?
A: I hold a lease on private land in southwestern Wyoming where I have my own quarry . Between
the months of June and September, my helper and I quarry the fossils ourselves and transport them back to Logan, Utah where my preparation studio is.

Q: What do you mean by the term “fossil preparation”?
A: When we find the fossils, they are still buried in solid stone, visible only as “bumps and ridges” under the layers of rock. Fossil preparation is the tedious process of removing the stone to expose the buried bones. It involves a number of expensive specialty tools, great care and Patience. All preparation is performed under magnification.

Q: Do you paint the fossils to give them their color?
A: No! None of my fossils are painted over with artificial pigments. The colors you see are the natural colors of the fossilized skin, scales and bone of the animal. Sometimes in the preparation process, scales will be lost due to poor bonding with the rock. In such cases, the missing color may be replaced by spot-painting. This is a widely accepted practice that comes under the heading of “restoration”, and is done only under magnification, when required.

Q: Do other operators prepare their Green River Formation fossils in the same way?
A: No. Other operators use fast, mass production methods to produce large numbers of fish in a short time. The result is generally a poorly prepared product that requires a complete paint- over to hide the damage associated with mass production techniques. Damaged fins are often painted on as well. The result is a “perfect” looking fish that may bear little resemblance to the underlying fossil.

Q: Are the pieces with more than one fish natural, or are they actually composites created artificially?
A: All my groupings are 100% natural. If at some future time Clear Creek Quarry decides to produce composites, they will be clearly advertised as such.

Q: Is there any kind of protective coating on your fossils?
A: Yes. I use a spray-on workable art fixative, designed for stabilizing charcoal and pastel drawings. This provides a basic degree of protection from degradation over time. The polished surfaces are treated with carnuba wax to enhance the luster of the stone. The fossils should not, however, be submerged in water or exposed to outdoor conditions for prolonged periods.

Q: Can I expect any changes in the product over time?
A: Possibly. Prolonged exposure to UV wavelengths in natural sunlight may cause a slow change
in the color of the bone and stone. It will likely be so slow as to be un-noticed, and may actually
enhance the beauty of the stone.

Q: What makes your fossil fish different from others of the same kind on the market?
A: First, I choose to work in stone that is too dark and too hard for most preparators. The
benefit is that this hard, dark stone takes a beautiful polish and can be incorporated into the
presentation by carving and selective polishing. Polished edges, for example, highlight other
buried objects in the stone that add a level of scientific and aesthetic value. The juxtaposition
of the raw stone and the polished detail of the finished stone is part of what makes these pieces
of art.

Q: Is that also why your pieces are more expensive than some?
A: Yes, in part. My stone is not only more difficult to quarry and more time consuming
to prepare, but the extra time associated with the carving and polishing requires that they also be more expensive. My goal is to produce unique pieces of fossil art for discerning collectors who want something more than just a fossil specimen. I think my prices are very competitive considering that.

Q: Can you do custom work?
A: To a certain extent. If there is a particular fish, grouping of fish, size or speciesdesired, we can put you in line for the next one that comes up. It is important to remember that we have no control over what we find in the quarry. If you’re interested in a table of a particular size or base design, those can be ordered custom.

Q: What if I like a particular stone, but I don’t want the steel base, or I’d like a different
style of base?
A: Any of these stones can be purchased separately from its base. Also, custom bases in steel or wood are available.

Q: How long have you been in business?
A: Clear Creek Quarry has been in business since 1997. I can proudly say that I’ve never had a dissatisfied customer.