metamorphic
Dinosaur Bone (Gembone)
Agatized Dinosaur Bone (Silicified Paleo-osteoid)
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Variegated reds, browns, oranges, and blacks; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony) with preserved cellular fossil structure; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Variegated reds, browns, oranges, and blacks
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Variegated reds, browns, oranges, and blacks; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony) with preserved cellular fossil structure; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed through permineralization where silica-rich groundwater replaces the organic bone tissue of dinosaurs with minerals like agate or jasper. Most commonly dated to the Jurassic period (approx. 150 million years ago).
Uses & applications
High-end lapidary work, jewelry (cabochons and rings), and premium fossil collection specimens.
Geological facts
Gembone is considered one of the rarest fossils in the world. Collectors value it based on the clarity of the cell structure; highly defined 'cells' within the bone matrix are the most desirable.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by looking for a characteristic honeycomb or cellular 'petrified' pattern combined with a stony, heavy weight. Commonly found in the Colorado Plateau regions of Utah and Wyoming.
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