sedimentary
Fossilized Bone
Permineralized Vertebrate Fossil
Hardness: 4-5 (Mohs scale), Color: tan, brown, or gray, Luster: dull to earthy, Crystal Structure: often retains cancellous/porous bone texture, Specific Gravity: 2.5-3.0
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Physical properties
Hardness: 4-5 (Mohs scale), Color: tan, brown, or gray, Luster: dull to earthy, Crystal Structure: often retains cancellous/porous bone texture, Specific Gravity: 2.5-3.0
Formation & geological history
Formed through permineralization where mineral-rich water fills the pores of organic remains, typically in fluvial or lacustrine sedimentary environments over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Scientific research, paleontological study, educational displays, and private collecting.
Geological facts
The fossilization process can preserve microscopic details of the bone structure, allowing paleontologists to study the growth rates and pathologies of extinct animals.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for a 'honeycomb' or porous structure at the cross-section (cancellous bone). Often found in eroding riverbanks or badlands areas.
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