Petrified Fossils Used to Make Jewelry

Petrified Fossils are created by organic organisms but through the passing of much time, have been mineralized into stone, while still maintaining the evidence of the original living organism. These can make fascinating additions to jewelry, not only for their beauty, but also for the story they tell. Here are many examples of great fossilized materials that are commonly used in jewelry.

Ammonite: From primarily one source in Canada which has recently been restricted, this mineral is similar to labradorite in that it has translucent bands of color, but those colors are generally more brilliant. Ammonite is the fossilized shell remnant of a prehistoric Sea Snail called Ammolite and produces this stunning material.  The picture at the top of the page shows a small ammolite petrified shell with a piece of a larger one used to make jewelry. Ammolite petrified shells can be found small, like this example at the top of the page, up to many feet wide. 

STATS:
Color: Iridescent play of colors, brown
Mohs' Hardness Scale: 4
Density: 2.75 to 2.80
Transparency: Opaque with transparent portions

Petrified Dinosaur Bone:   While finds of historic significance are never made into jewelry, smaller, cracked portions can be cut and polished into beautiful cabochons. Once polished, the patterns of the petrified bone can be quite stunning.

Petrified Coral:  A long time ago these would have been part of a prehistoric coral reef. Once polished, the star like structures of the small creatures that built the reef can be seen in the design. This is also a guilt free coral to own as you needn't worry that you are contributing to the depletion of living coral reefs.

Petrified Walrus Bone:  Found in regions where prehistoric Walrus' were plentiful, these can be quite expensive due to their rarity.

Petrified Wood:  Although now fossilized into stone, the grain of the wood is still highly visible once polished. Varieties fossilized from bamboo will actually show off that familiar pattern we know today.