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

Dinosaur Bone Fossil

Permineralized Dinosaur Bone

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, varies in color from dark brown to red and orange due to mineral replacement, dull to vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure retaining original bone cellular matrix.

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 of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, varies in color from dark brown to red and orange due to mineral replacement, dull to vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure retaining original bone cellular matrix.

Formation & geological history

Formed over millions of years during the Mesozoic Era when buried organic bone material was slowly replaced by groundwater minerals like silica.

Uses & applications

Prized by collectors, utilized in educational exhibits, and sometimes cut and polished for unique jewelry or decorative lapidary items.

Geological facts

The cellular structure of the original bone is often perfectly preserved, allowing scientists to study paleohistology under a microscope.

Field identification & locations

Identify by characteristic cellular bone texture, porosity, and high specific gravity; commonly found in sedimentary formations globally, especially 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