#Iridescent Fossil Shell

[uk-fossils]

NEOSILESITES MAXIMUS Iridescent Fossil Ammonite Mother of Pearl Shell Lower Albian Cretaceous Madagascar Genuine

Discover the captivating beauty of this authentic NEOSILESITES MAXIMUS iridescent fossil ammonite, featuring a stunning Mother of Pearl shell finish. This remarkable fossil originates from the Lower Albian Stage of the Early Cretaceous Period (approximately 113 to 110 million years ago), recovered from the rich fossil beds of Mitsinjo, Madagascar.

Geology & Origin:

Mitsinjo's marine deposits from the Lower Albian age formed under warm, shallow seas, creating the ideal conditions for the preservation of marine life like ammonites. These ammonites were rapidly buried in fine sediments, fossilizing over millions of years. In rare cases, the original aragonite shell layer was preserved, producing the breathtaking iridescent "Mother of Pearl" sheen visible today.

Fossil Type & Species:

Type: Fossil Ammonite (Extinct marine mollusc)

Species: Neosilesites maximus

Preservation: Superb, showcasing vivid mother of pearl iridescence

Features:

100% genuine, natural fossil specimen

Includes a Certificate of Authenticity

Hand-selected for outstanding quality and visual appeal

The exact specimen shown in the listing photos

Scale rule / cube shown = 1cm: See photos for full sizing details

Why Buy From Us?

We are dedicated to offering authentic, meticulously curated fossils, ensuring each piece maintains its natural charm. Every item is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity for your complete confidence.

A magnificent addition to any fossil collection, a perfect educational piece, or a stunning decor element for any home, office, or museum display!

[amnhnyc]

Behold the dazzling colors of an iridescent ammonite (Placenticeras intercalare)! A relative of today’s squids, this ammonite lived some 80 million years ago near what is now Alberta, Canada. This fossil’s spectacular coloration is the result of millions of years of high temperatures and pressures. As these forces acted on nacre in this ammonite’s shell, it was transformed into a gemstone known as an ammolite. Along with amber and pearl, ammolite is one of only a handful of gems made by living organisms.

You can spot this rare specimen in the Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. Collections Core in the Museum’s Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation! Plan your visit.

Photo: © AMNH 

[bestanimal]

Round 3 - Reptilia - Gruiformes

(Sources - 1, 2, 3, 4)

Our next order of birds are the Gruiformes, a diverse order with a widespread geographical diversity. “Gruiform” means “crane-like”, even though the majority of gruiformes are rails. Gruiformes contains the families Psophiidae (“trumpeters”), Aramidae (“Limpkin”), Gruidae (“cranes”), Rallidae (“rails”, “coots”, and “crakes”), Heliornithidae (“finfoots”), and Sarothruridae (“flufftails”).

Gruiformes are terrestrial or wading birds with a considerable amount of diversity. The Trumpeters (genus Psophia) (image 1) are rotund birds with long, flexible necks and legs, downward-curving bills, soft plumage, large eyes, and a “hunched” appearance. They are weak fliers but fast runners, and can also swim across rivers. The cranes (Gruidae) (image 3 and gif below) and the Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) are long-necked, long-legged, long-beaked waders, some of which are the world’s tallest flying birds. Their plumage varies by habitat. The Rallidae (image 4) are the most diverse family of Gruiformes. Many are associated with wetland habitats, some being semi-aquatic like waterfowl (such as the coot), and some being more like wading birds or shorebirds. The finfoots (Heliornithidae) resemble rails; they have long necks, slender bodies, broad tails, and sharp, pointed bills. Their legs and feet are brightly coloured and they are capable of walking well and even moving quickly on land. The flufftails (Sarothruridae) (image 2) are small- to medium-sized ground-living birds. Due to the diversity of this order, it is difficult to summarize them further!

Gruiformes evolved in the Paleocene, around 60 million years ago.

(source)

Propaganda under the cut:

Grey-winged Trumpeters (Psophia crepitans) are polyandrous and cooperative breeders. Up to three males mate with the dominant female of the flock, and all members of the flock contribute to raising the young.

One of the handful of non-avian dinosaurs we know the colors of is the Late Jurassic Caihong juji. Thanks to some exquisitely fossilized melanosomes (pigment cells) within the animals feathers, paleontologists were able to determine Caihong’s coloration by comparing it to those of living birds. The sheets of platelet-like melanosomes were solid and lacked air bubbles, and were thus most similar to the iridescent feathers that exist in modern Trumpeters (genus Psophia). It is thanks to trumpeters for preserving this type of melanosome, that we know the appearance of a dinosaur from the Late Jurassic!

The Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) has a beak that is slightly open near the end, giving it a tweezer-like action to remove their main prey, Apple Snails (family Ampullariidae), from their shells. In many individuals the tip of their beak curves slightly to the right, matching the Apple Snails’ shells.

Most species of cranes have been affected by human activities and are at the least classified as threatened, if not critically endangered. The plight of the Whooping Crane (Grus americana) of North America inspired some of the first US legislation to protect endangered species. After being pushed to the brink of extinction due to unregulated hunting and loss of habitat, just 21 wild (and two captive) Whooping Cranes remained by 1941. Thanks to conservation efforts, the total number of cranes in the surviving migratory population, including those in captivity, only slightly exceeds 911 birds as of 2020.

The Sanskrit epic poet Valmiki was inspired to write the first śloka couplet by the pathos of seeing a male Sarus Crane (Antigone antigone) shot while dancing with its mate.

The endangered South Island Takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri) is a flightless swamphen indigenous to New Zealand. Takahē were hunted extensively by both early European settlers and Māori, and takahē's bones, as well as fossil remains, have been found in middens in the South Island. They were not named and described by Europeans until 1847, and then only from fossil bones. In 1850 a living bird was captured, and three more collected in the 19th century. After another bird was captured in 1898, and no more were to be found, the species was presumed extinct. Fifty years later, however, after a carefully planned search, South Island Takahē were dramatically rediscovered in November 1948 by Geoffrey Orbell in an isolated valley in the South Island's Murchison Mountains. Since then, takahē have been reintroduced to numerous locations across the country. As of 2023, the population is around 500 and is growing by 8% per year.

The Guam Rail (Hypotaenidia owstoni) came perilously close to extinction when Brown Tree Snakes (Boiga irregularis) were introduced to Guam, but some of the last remaining individuals were taken into captivity and have been breeding well. They have since been successfully introduced to the nearby Rota and Cocos islands, as the Brown Tree Snakes have yet to be eradicated in Guam. In 2019, the Guam Rail became the second bird species to be reclassified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature from Extinct in the Wild, to Critically Endangered.

[pinkanonwrites]

YES beachcomber would be such a collector of rocks and minerals and show them to his human friends. Especially unique ones like fulgurites

Him sharing all his different rocks he's collected with you and you sharing your different seashells with him.~ <3

I think he'd be REALLY into fossils and amber too. The idea that over time a once-living organic creature can slowly but surely become an indelible mineral, a snapshot of a bygone era, is deeply fascinating to him.

"This one's called a cowrie shell." The shell that fit so snugly in the palm of your hand is dwarfed in Beachcomber's massive servo, but he still handles it with incredible care. "This one's on the bigger side, but small ones used to be used as currency in different parts of the world."

"It's beautiful. And it ain't polished or anything like that?"

"Nope! Sometimes you'll find them covered in salt in the water if they've been there for a while, but while it's alive the snail inside keeps the shell shiny and clean. Not all shells are like that, though."

You can tell you've piqued Beachcomber's curiosity, so you quickly take the next shell you've brought out of your bag. "This is an abalone shell. The rough outside helps them to camouflage with coral and rocks. But on the inside..."

You turn the iridescent inner shell to Beachcomber's gaze, and his faceplate lights up with awe.

"It's beautiful."

You take the cowrie from his servo and press the abalone into it. He cradles it so tenderly, rocking it gently back and forth to catch the rays of light bouncing off the glistening, pearlescent interior. Before knowing the Autobots, you wouldn't have expected their stern metal faces to be capable of this level of soft sincerity. How foolish you were, back then.

"We could go shell-hunting sometime, if you'd like!" You add. "I can show you where I found some of my collection, see if we find anything good?"

He turns his attention back to you, his voice low, smooth, and achingly tender.

"I'd like that very much."

[letstalkrocks]

Fossil Friday: Ammonite

Ammonite is a preserved shell belonging to an Ammolite or other creature belonging to the subclass Ammonoidea. These fossils are the remains of an extinct marine cephalopod (mollusc) from the Jurassic period (about 200 million years ago) to the late Cretaceous period (about 66 million years ago). Ammonites died off at roughly the same time as flightless dinosaurs. Ammonites were a unique group of creatures, likely having eight separate arms, resembling a coleoid (squids, octopuses, and cuttlefish), while the shell and it's shape closer resembling a nautilus. An estimated 10-20 thousand species of ammonite have been discovered, so no two fossils will be the same. The largest ammonite specimen found was over 1.8 metres (approx. 5.9 feet) in length, while being an incomplete fossil. Ammonite can be found at any location where prehistoric oceans once were. Ammonite is often used as an index fossil, being used to date the approximate age of the rocks it is embedded in. Ammonite is considered to be one of the world's rarest gemstones when the shell appears iridescent.

It is crucial to be aware of laws and regulations governing fossil collection in your area. Many places require all fossils found to be sent to a palaeontologist, and have strict regulations on the selling of locally found specimens.

More information about ammonites can be found here.

Stay tuned for next week's Fossil Friday!

[goldflinches]

no. 40 (snippet)

Summary: Even unfinished things have a beauty to them, as hard as it is to believe about your own creations. It takes a bit of heart-to-heart and some poetry from an old friend to impress this truth upon Dream of the Endless.

---

Square/Prompt: A2 - Comforting Insecurity | @dreamlingbingo

Rating: General

Ship(s): Dream of the Endless | Morpheus/Hob Gadling

Additional Notes & Warnings: Canon Compliant, Comfort Without Hurt

---

Some days, Dream of the Endless is an unstoppable force of nature. He carves a path through the Dreaming with a restless energy that leaves the air cackling and electric. Feverishly creating dreams, endlessly modifying and reshaping daydreams, twisting new nightmares into reality. Simply, as much as an Endless can be simple, he fills the days and landscape with the act of creation.

Some days, he is very very still.

Today is one of those days. He stands at the foot of the Rookery, which has long been in need of refurbishing. Since his absence, despite of his absence, there have been many new dreams that have roosted there. He tips his head back, taking it all in. The way the wings of small Dreams of Childhood Flying catches the light. Its impossible proportions and iridescent possibilities. The shifting plates of the shiny chrome Dreams of Flying Machines. The impatient shuffle of the Dreams of Personal Flight. All eagerness and impatience in flying form.

He spends hours simply observing. Watches them take to the skies with ease. Some by their lonesome, most with their flock. One of the last ones to go is the Dreams of First Fledge. It nervously stumbles out of nest then immediately tips off the edge. Seeing it fall a great height, Dream quickly opens his palm as a safe landing space and—the Dreams of First Fledge takes wing just before touching him at all. It rises beyond his reach, leaving Dream alone in the rookery. Palm outstretched and empty. He lets his hand drop to his side, suddenly feeling exhausted.

The quiet of the Rookery is now oppressive, pressing close and crowding out the previous calm. Dream tried very hard not to think about the last time the Rookery was this quiet. The number of empty nests of dreams of a bygone era. The fossilized dreams left behind, never to take flight. The shells of dreams which did but ones never bore witness to. The idea of it all makes his hands ache and itch, wanting to craft something, anything to fill the space—

Now, the stillness is unsettling. Aggravating. So he closes his eyes and turns his senses outwards to the squalls and rustling wings, the gales over the Infinite Waters. He lets it wash over him. Let that medley bury the familiar ache of seeing the ease his creations took to the horizon, lightness writ in their very being.

A low hum breaks his reverie. It comes across the Dreaming distinctively, even with its slight waver. Bright and warm. Dream tips his head back, savoring it. A pleasant reminder that in London, it is almost five o’clock and Hob Gadling is making his way to their usual table in the New Inn. He takes one last look to the horizon and has to bite back the urge to make one last dream, make one small tweak—but no, today he has an appointment to keep.

[officialleehadan]

Red Sky at Night

Four days later Eione was helping Tyra to pack up her booth when she saw Evan coming down the aisle towards them.

“Eione honey, is that aimed at you?” Tyra asked. She shot an appreciative look at the blonde diver. “You’re a lucky girl.”

Evan had pulled his hair back from his face and swapped out his usual tshirts for a simple white tank top under an open button down with short sleeves. Paired with comfortably worn blue denim pants, he looked very handsome.

He had a green canvas bag over one shoulder and an easy smile on his face.

“We’re going on a date,” Eione shared shyly, making Tyra beam. “It’s new, don’t tease.”

“Now that there explains why you’re all dolled up your ownself.” Tyra announced, giving Eione a once-over with a speculative eye. “Pretty as a picture you are.”

Eione blushed and looked down self-consciously.

Her dress was the same soft teal as the water just offshore and had a drift of small iridescent beads sewn down the straps and onto the front of the bodice. For practicalities’ sake she had braided her hair that morning when Jakob picked her up, but she twined a strand of tiny shell flakes into the braid.

“I wanted to look nice,” she mumbled, tugging at the hem of her dress anxiously until Tyra patted her shoulder. “I haven’t been on a date in a long time.”

“You look like an angel. Poor man won’t know what hit him.” She said before she vanished into the back of her booth with a wink as Evan walked up.

“Hi there,” Evan said, smile brightening his entire face. “You look beautiful.”

Eione was stuck speechless for a moment before she scraped her brain off the floor, returned his smile, and took his extended hand. She waved quickly at Tyra as they turned to walk away and ignored the enthusiastic thumbs-up she got from her friend. “Thank you. How are you? Did your dive go well?”

Evan led her down the path towards the water and Eione was glad she had slipped her sandals on before she started to help Tyra. She didn’t have to enjoy shoes to know there were sharp bits on the road.

“I’m good and the dive went great,” he told her happily. “Not a single hitch and we found some amazing fossils.”

He looked so excited Eione couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m so glad to hear it. And your gear? Were you able to get it back?”

He dimmed a little, but didn’t lose his smile. “Yeah. After getting a good look at it, I didn’t want to trust it. I’ve been thinking about a replacement for a while now anyway. My set was starting to show the miles I’ve put on it.”

Eione nodded. She was cringing inside that she had managed to ruin his expensive rebreather. He didn’t seem too broken up about it however and she tried to let it go. Honestly, there was probably no way she could have gotten him out of the cave with all of it on. It kept getting tangled. With it on he was heavier than she could manage, even in water.

“You went to Nassau for a new one?”

“Yeah. Had a few choices. I got lucky though. I found one in the same make as my old one. It does have a better ‘brain’ and I think it’s going to be reliable.”

“Brain?” she wasn’t sure what a brain could be in a rebreather.

“The computer chip that controls the gas mix I breathe,” Evan explained without judgement. It was a complicated piece of equipment. He had probably explained it many times before. “The better ‘brain’ the rebreather has, the more likely it is to keep a diver breathing the right stuff at the right time.”

“A new one can only be a good thing then?” That made her feel better as they stepped out from under the palms onto the small white beach beyond.

The water tugged softly at the sand and Eione felt herself breathe easier at just being close to the ocean. Evan seemed to feel the same way because his shoulders relaxed the barest measure and he twined his fingers with hers.

“It’s a good thing. Like I said, I’ve been thinking about upgrading to a new one for a while.”

“I’m glad for you then, that you got an upgrade that will help to keep you safe in the water.”

“Thanks,” he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. The look he gave her was one of surprised pleasure. “So how have things been going for you?”

Eione shrugged, trying to think of something interesting to tell him before she realized she had a bit of news he might be glad to know.

“I went with Jakob to the cave the two of you found.” she told him, watching his eyes light up. “And went down into the cave when the tide was slack.”

“Did he tell you about the fish we saw? Did you see it?” he asked her eagerly.

“He told me, yes, but I didn’t see anything.”

She hated to disappoint him, but it was true. Evan had seen Kotone in the water that day and Jakob recognized the Japanese mermaid. As he always did, the chart-maker told Eione and Mavis that someone might have seen one of the shoal.

The twins hadn’t been anywhere near when Eione had explored the hole the next day. They kept to themselves almost as much as Zamara, who didn’t even check in with Mavis all that often.

“What do you think it was?” Evan asked her, unaware of her wandering thoughts. “Jakob thought it might be a marlin.”

“It’s odd to find a marlin so close to shore. The dolphins come in sometimes.” Eione told him another truth that would cover the truth she did not want to share. “They don’t like the sonar and it makes them jump.”

“Might even have been a shark. They’re not blue, but that could have been a trick of the light.” Evan admitted, although he seemed disappointed by the news. He gazed out at the water, which threw off bright reflections from the sun and sky. “I didn’t get a great look at it anyway.”

Eione nodded. She didn’t dare tell him what he had actually seen and she hoped he would find something else to talk about before she had to lie outright. He let the topic slide and grinned when she slipped off her sandals in favor of the soft sand.

“Not big on shoes, are you?” he teased her gently, but stopped long enough to pull off his shoes, tie them together, and sling them over his shoulder with his bag before he let her pull him to the water’s edge. “With sand like this, I can’t say I blame you.”

“I like to feel what’s under my feet,” Eione said, tugging him down towards the water eagerly. They couldn’t go for a swim, but she wanted to feel water on her skin.

The small waves splashed up her calves and Eione breathed a little easier. She had been so nervous about this date. As it always did, the water offered a calm she couldn’t find on land.

Evan quickly rolled his pants up to his knees and waded in after her. He was clearly as happy in the cool water as she was. With the last of her nerves banished, Eione looked up at him with a bright smile and leaned against his side when he looped an arm around her shoulders.

“So how did you get into diving? You never said at dinner the other day,” he asked as they walked down the beach slowly with the waves rushing over their feet every few steps.

“My mother,” Eione told him softly. “Father was a fisherman and Mother would fish with a spear. She taught me and my sister.”

“Never been away from the water have you?”

“It is in my name.”

Evan grinned. “Okay, you got me there,” He agreed. He laughed when she splashed him playfully.

“How did you find diving?” she asked, dancing away when he splashed her back. “Was it a hobby to start?”

“My parents.” Evan told her. He didn’t quite manage to dodge her next salvo and shrugged it off easily. The evening was warm and Eione knew they would be dry long before the sun finished setting. “They were diving instructors up in San Francisco. Lost them in a car accident a while back.”

“I’m sorry for asking.”

“It’s okay.” Evan assured her, reaching out to take her hand as they left the water to keep walking along the white sand. “I miss them, but it’s been a long time, you know?”

“I do.”

Looking for something to distract him, Eione spotted a pod of dolphins playing in the waves just off the beach. When they saw her they darted closer. They probably wanted her to come out into the water, but she shook her head and smiled.

“Look,” she said, pointing to the pod. “They don’t come in this close very often.” The pod swirled around the reef to whistle at her again.

Evan grinned and waved to them. He couldn’t possibly know what they wanted. Eione doubted he could even hear them, but their enthusiasm was obvious to anyone. The dolphins were excited as the pod splashed closer before they turned again and headed farther out to sea.

Evan laughed breathlessly. “I really like dolphins,” he admitted, eyes on the retreating pod.

Eione watched them leave before she looked up at him. “I see them on my morning swim sometimes.” She told him. “I love them. They’ll chase off a shark if they see one and they’re always so cheerful.

Some mermaids could talk to the creatures of the sea, but Eione wasn’t one of them. It was easy to understand what the dolphins wanted though, and their good moods were contagious. If she met them early enough before market, she played with them before she started hunting for the day.

“They’re friendly here,” Evan said, his eyes on the pod until they disappeared in the waves. “Last time I was in China, they were so skittish we barely saw them.”

“They get hunted there sometimes,” Eione told him sadly. The dolphins and the mermaids both faced more hunters than they would prefer. “They’ve learned to fear humans but they love those waters too much to leave.”

“Can’t blame them for that much,” Evan murmured with a hint of resentment that Eione suspected was directed at the hunters. “I love diving in China when I can.”

“I’ve never been.”

Eione listened as he told her about diving for wrecks from the wars and decided she would talk to Anita about going to China on their next vacation. The older woman liked China, and there were still parts of that sea where Eione could swim without being seen. If she was lucky, they might even see a dragon.

When they reached a small picnic table set just above the tideline, Evan led her over to sit.

“I brought nourishment,” he said, pulling his bag off his shoulder and opening it to show her a couple bottles of water and several containers full of fruit. “Anita told me you like fruit, I didn’t think restaurants were really your style.”

Eione was surprised and touched that he noticed how uncomfortable she was with crowds and planned ahead. When he was done unpacking they had water, fruit, and he had produced several sandwiches for them both.

“Spicy beef, for the lady,” he teased. “And sesame chicken for me. I love that little deli by the dock by the way.”

“I get breakfast from them sometimes,” Eione agreed, very familiar with the town’s businesses and fond of easy food she could pack in a waterproof bag when she wanted to go out on a longer swim. “They’re always reliable.”

She hadn’t realized how hungry she was and the burn of the spices was welcome. Evan seemed to feel the same way. His sandwich vanished as quickly as hers did. The fruit was next and they sat in comfortable silence watching the waves as they passed the small containers between them.

When they were done he packed the dishes back into the bag and set it in the sand by their feet. The sun was starting to set and the evening wind blew wisps of Eione’s hair back from her face.

The breeze was cool and she glanced up at Evan before shyly scooting over until she could rest against his side. He smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. The beach faded from white to red as the sun sank behind the island and lit the summer clouds.

“Red sky at night, Sailor’s delight.” Eione said softly, and closed her eyes as she leaned her head against Evan’s shoulder. “Tomorrow will be a good day.”

+++

HGE - Riptide: (FULL COLLECTION)

Under Stone

White Sand Sky

The Hint of Answers

Drift to Home

Boats and Salt Wind

Eyes of the Ocean

Dinner Cruise

Water's Cares (Subscriber Only!)

Beneath Bahamian Waters

Gossip Surf (Subscriber Only!)

Diving Discussion

At Dinner

Over Dinner Overnight (Subscriber Only!)

Market Wares(Subscriber Only!)

Meeting Friends

Date Secured

Mystery Fish

Red Sky at Night 

Storm Revealed (NEW!)

+++

MASTERLIST

[jovianaquarium]

ok so my lovely mutual @icarrymany dared me to post proof of my rock/min collection so this is his fault >:)

im not gonna go into depth on all of the samples bc 1. i dont remember the details on all of them lol and 2. it would take. forever

so instead ill talk a little abt one or two of them per section :3

first up: tumbled minerals!

i have a bunch more of these but after becoming a geology student they kind of piss me off bc raw minerals often look way cooler and tumbling removes the crystal habit (and also makes them harder for me to identify hgjhfd)

first image, from left clockwise: (possibly) blue lace agate, chrysocolla. labradorite, snowflake obsidian, moss agate, brown agate, and two samples of tigers eye

2nd image: up close picture of one of the tigers eye crystals, showing its lighter banding

3rd image: up close picture of the labradorite from a different angle, showing its pale green luster

my absolute favorite mineral ever is labradorite also!! i think its luster is gorgeous and ive heard it represents transformation and change, and i first got this sample back when i had just come out as trans :)

i dont really have a lot to say abt these unfortunately lol

anyway. next is fossils!!

1st image, clockwise from bottom left: trilobite cast fossil, tumbled stromatolite, dinosaur bone (? got this one at a mineral stall and the dude said it was a dino bone, didnt think to ask details lol), plant fossil, coral fossil, assorted fossil molds (mold as in taking the shape of something, not spores) in wackestone, mosasaurus tooth, crocodile (?) tooth, 2 ammonites, a turtle scute, a crinoid stem, and a (broken) orthoceras

2nd image: up close pic of the assorted fossil molds, which include horn corals (circular with ridges toward center, hole in middle), crinoid stems (cylindrical with ridges perpendicular to long sides), and shells

3rd image: up close pic of larger ammonite, with iridescent luster due to aragonite (a polymorph of calcite) replacing the calcite of the shell

4th image: up close pic of dubious tooth. i found this on a field trip about a year ago while looking for shark teeth. this is not a shark tooth. idk what it is. i think it might be from a crocodile but i havent been able to fully identify it lol

now.... raw minerals!!!!!

1st image, clockwise from left: moss agate, talc, serpentinite (this one is a metamorphic rock but i accidentally put it with the minerals and dont want to retake the pics. other geologists you may come kill me), two calcite samples, and a tiny topaz @ramones2 gave me

2nd pic: close up on the topaz crystal, which is light orange (if u leave these in the sun they get bleached and lose their color </3)

3rd pic: close up on one of the calcites. its crystals are a bit more squared and close-knit than the next calcite, and appear more white in color. there are also some small purple fluorite crystals mixed in. i traded with a classmate for this one lol

4th pic: close up on the other calcite. this ones crystals are more rounded and transparent.

5th pic: close up on the serpentinite. serpentinite is metamorphosed from peridotite, which makes up the earth's mantle (if youve ever heard that the mantle is actually green, that is true!! the green comes from olivine mostly, but also some pyroxenes). when peridotite is lifted up to the surface and comes into contact with water, olivine gets very unhappy and serpentinizes, or hydrothermally metamorphoses (water + some heat + olivine = cool as fuck snakeskin rock)

6th pic: another close up on the serpentinite, this time wet. you can see the serpent-like pattern a bit better.

finally: rocks :3

1st image, clockwise from bottom left: amphibolite, sedimentary rock with calcite vein (i dont remember what this one is lmao), malachite-bornite ore, iron-stained sandstone(?) with chalcedony/agate, phyllite, sandstone trace fossil of a burrow, and meteoric rock possibly with iron

2nd pic: close up on the ore, showing the malachite vein. it's almost powdery, with a gradient of light blue on the edges to teal in the center

3rd pic: another close up on the ore, showing the bornite vein. it's iridescent like an oil slick, with the main color being purple. this one is often called peacock ore for its colors :)

4th pic: . im gonna be honest i have no fucking clue bro. i think the mineral in it is agate/chalcedony (the lighter gray/white areas) and the red parts are an iron-stained sedimentary rock, but i forget if its siltstone or sandstone or smth else. idk. it looks cool.

bonus: extra pic of my rocks for further proof of collection

hope u enjoyed o7

[mybeingthere]

The Rare Gemstone Ammolite.

This dazzling iridescent fossil of an 80 million year old ammonite measuring two feet in diameter was discovered near Alberta, Canada and is a particularly rare example of an ancient sea creature that went extinct at the same time as most dinosaurs. The spectacular coloration is the result of millions of years of high temperatures and pressures acting on the animal’s shell to create a gemstone known as ammolite.

[uk-fossils]

NEOSILESITES AMBATOLAFTENSIS Iridescent Fossil Ammonite Mother of Pearl Shell Lower Albian Cretaceous Madagascar Genuine

Introducing an exceptional NEOSILESITES AMBATOLAFTENSIS iridescent fossil ammonite, adorned with an incredible natural Mother of Pearl shell finish. This beautiful fossil originates from the Lower Albian Stage of the Early Cretaceous Period (approximately 113 to 110 million years ago), discovered in the renowned fossil beds of Mitsinjo, Madagascar.

Geology & Origin:

During the Lower Albian, Mitsinjo was submerged beneath warm shallow seas, creating ideal conditions for marine life like ammonites to thrive. After death, these ammonites were buried by fine sediments and fossilized over millions of years. Rarely, the original aragonite layer survived fossilization, leading to the breathtaking iridescent "Mother of Pearl" effect seen on this piece.

Fossil Type & Species:

Type: Fossil Ammonite (Extinct marine mollusc)

Species: Neosilesites ambatolaftensis

Preservation: Outstanding, with vivid, colorful mother of pearl iridescence

Features:

100% genuine, natural fossil specimen

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity

Carefully selected for quality and iridescence

The exact specimen shown in the listing photographs

Scale rule / cube shown = 1cm: Full sizing visible in photo

Why Buy From Us?

We take pride in offering authentic, professionally selected fossils, ensuring each piece retains its natural beauty. Every fossil purchase comes with a Certificate of Authenticity for your assurance and confidence.

Perfect for collectors, educational use, or as a stunning natural decor feature for home or office spaces!

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Behold the dazzling colors of an iridescent ammonite (Placenticeras intercalare)! A relative of today’s squids, this ammonite lived some 80 million years ago near what is now Alberta, Canada. This fossil’s spectacular coloration is the result of millions of years of high temperatures and pressures. As these forces acted on nacre in this ammonite’s shell, it was transformed into a gemstone known as an ammolite. Along with amber and pearl, ammolite is one of only a handful of gems made by living organisms. You can spot this rare specimen in the Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. Collections Core in the Museum’s Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation!

Photo: © AMNH

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Ammolite Jewelry: Vivid, Rare, and Mesmerizing Fossilized Gemstone Creations

Ammolite jewelry showcases the captivating beauty of this rare, iridescent gemstone, formed from fossilized ammonite shells over millions of years. With its dazzling spectrum of colors, ammolite is treasured for its uniqueness and spiritual significance. Often set in sterling silver or gold, these exquisite pieces make a bold statement. Believed to bring harmony, prosperity, and positive energy, ammolite jewelry is a prized addition to any collection, blending natural history with breathtaking artistry.

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Ammolite Jewelry: Nature’s Iridescent Treasure

Ammolite is a rare and mesmerizing gemstone formed from fossilized ammonite shells over millions of years. Ammolite is prized for its beauty and one-of-a-kindness, ranging from deep blues and greens to fiery reds and golds. Found primarily in Canada, this organic gemstone is believed to bring prosperity and positive energy. Ammolite jewelry is a true natural wonder that can be worn in rings, pendants, or earrings. It is ideal for people who appreciate rare and vibrant gemstones.

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Specifics of Ammolite Gemstone Rings

Ammolite Gemstone Rings, a rare semi-precious gemstone, is a trade name given to beautiful iridescent aragonite shell material that is created by fossils. These fossils belong to extinct marine invertebrates called ammonites that lived in the ocean from 400 to 70 million years ago.

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Specifics of Ammolite Gemstone Rings

Ammolite Gemstone Rings, a rare semi-precious gemstone, is a trade name given to beautiful iridescent aragonite shell material that is created by fossils. These fossils belong to extinct marine invertebrates called ammonites that lived in the ocean from 400 to 70 million years ago.

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Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Earrings | Reef.