sedimentary

Fossilized Bone (Petrified Bone)

Permineralized Vertebrate Remains

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 5-6.5 (depending on mineralization like silica or calcite), Color: Brown, tan, reddish-orange due to iron oxides, Luster: Dull to earthy, Structure: Retains original organic porous/cellular texture, Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.8

Hardness: 5-6

Identified June 12, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through permineralization where minerals (often silica or calcium carbonate) precipitate from groundwater into the cellular spaces of deceased organisms. These specimens likely date from the Pleistocene or older.

Uses & applications

Primarily for paleontological study, museum display, and personal collecting. Polished high-quality fossil bone is sometimes used in artisanal jewelry.

Geological facts

Fossilized bones are not actually bone anymore; they are rocks that have taken the shape and internal structure of the original biological material through atom-by-atom replacement.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for the 'honeycomb' or 'sponge' marrow texture on the interior. In the field, fossil bone often 'sticks' to the tongue due to its porous nature. Found in sedimentary basins.