Rock Identifier
Dinosaur Bone Fossil (Permineralized Dinosaur Bone) — fossil
fossil

Dinosaur Bone Fossil

Permineralized Dinosaur Bone

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness varies from 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale due to quartz replacement. Colors range from brown and black to red and amber, featuring a distinct cellular or porous bone matrix structure with a vitreous to dull luster.

Identified More fossil →
Explore Dinosaur Bone Fossil in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App StoreGoogle Play

Physical properties

Hardness varies from 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale due to quartz replacement. Colors range from brown and black to red and amber, featuring a distinct cellular or porous bone matrix structure with a vitreous to dull luster.

Formation & geological history

Formed through permineralization, where underground mineral-rich groundwater replaces original organic bone material with silica or calcite over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Prized by collectors, lapidaries for making cabochons and jewelry, and studied by paleontologists for understanding prehistoric life.

Geological facts

Famous specimens often feature colorful agate or jasper replacement, making them highly sought-after display pieces known as gem bone.

Field identification & locations

Identify by the distinctive honeycomb or porous cellular microstructure visible on broken or polished surfaces. Common in Mesozoic rock formations worldwide, notably the Morrison Formation in the western United States.

More like this

Other fossil specimens

Probable fossil-bearing rock or mineral concretion (Unidentified carbonate-rich concretion with a possible fossil inclusion) — fossil

Probable fossil-bearing rock or mineral concretion

Unidentified carbonate-rich concretion with a possible fossil inclusion

fossil
Likely fossil oyster shell (Fossilized bivalve shell; exact species cannot be identified from the image) — fossil

Likely fossil oyster shell

Fossilized bivalve shell; exact species cannot be identified from the image

fossil
Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix (Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea) — fossil

Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix

Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea

fossil
Fossiliferous limestone (likely a crinoidal or shell-fragment limestone) (Bioclastic limestone, composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)) — sedimentary

Fossiliferous limestone (likely a crinoidal or shell-fragment limestone)

Bioclastic limestone, composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)

sedimentary
Porous limestone pebble (Calcite-rich limestone (primarily CaCO₃); exact identification is uncertain from the image) — sedimentary

Porous limestone pebble

Calcite-rich limestone (primarily CaCO₃); exact identification is uncertain from the image

sedimentary
Weathered fossil bone fragment (identification uncertain) (Fossilized bone; exact taxon and mineral composition cannot be determined from the image) — fossil

Weathered fossil bone fragment (identification uncertain)

Fossilized bone; exact taxon and mineral composition cannot be determined from the image

fossil