Keep calm and call the conservator: it is only pyrite decay and your specimen may be salvageable

Abstract

You may discover a specimen in your collection that is suffering from pyrite decay and it may already appear to be too late to save it. However, a pile of ash-like substance in a card tray might look like it is destined only for the bin but careful cleaning and simple stabilisation techniques may reveal a useful specimen underneath. If so, record it as fully as possible as soon as possible using either traditional techniques (photography and/or moulding and casting) or by using modern techniques such as photogrammetry, CTscanning, Micro CTscanning or laser scanning as the specimen will be prone to further deterioration in the future.