About Fossils

    The fossils are priced based on the color, color patterns, luster, size, species abundance, age, and condition of the fossil. Features such as vibrancy of the colors present in the fossil, and the luster of the fossil can be diminished in photos compared to in person. Quality of the display monitor can also affect the coloration of the fossil vs viewing it in person. Certain colors and shades of colors in fossils can be quite rare. Due to the composition of parent material in which the fossil formed, and the chemistry the fossil has undergone since then. For example, high phosphate areas usually create black teeth and sometimes blue. While high tannins in the water can create brown or yellowed teeth, and high iron sediments can create red or orange teeth. Additionally, due to differences in ecological adaptations, abundance of a species throughout pre-history, as well as the relative abundance of a species at a particular deposit site can increase or decrease the rarity of a particularly colored fossil type. Fossils can also be pyritized or opalized which is even rarer. Tooth size is measured from root tip to tooth tip along the longest edge. Fossils such as scutes and scales are also measured on the fossils' longest side.