Hi Conchlers,
I was just cataloging some fossil shells that I purchased at the Broward Shell Show. A few of the bivalves were kept together with rubber bands. One had deteriorated and is stuck to the outside surface of both valves. This is not a good situation and should be avoided.
I have the valves soaking in a solvent at the moment which will hopefully remove the synthetic rubber without damaging the shell.
I use dacron sewing thread to hold valves in place in my collection. I use white so that there will be no problems with the dye bleeding onto the shell. I simply wrap several revolutions of thread around the shell and I don't bother to tie a knot. In this way the thread can be removed easily and should last for a very long time without damaging the shell.
Matt

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