Russian ammonite Fossil

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 5:19 am

Here are some shots of a Russian Ammonite fossil we have at work. The specimen is 35mm (little less than 1.5") across and totally filled in with Iron Pyrite (fools gold) crystals. Very shiny & metallic. I am not sure what the small hairlike things are in the chambers, they could be another mineral. I did not see them until I processed the pictures on the computer. This fossil is from the late Jurassic period. The smaller picture is a stack of three shots I took with the focus bracketing setting on the camera. The closeup is a stack of 6 pictures using Helicon focus. Here are a few links for general info on Ammonites. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonite & http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/s ... pyrite.htm

Erland R.N. · Post by **Erland R.N.** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:55 pm

Interesting pictures and details you've captured. Great to learn something new thats millions of years old :-)

I guess this fossil has been sectioned to show the interior.

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 1:53 pm

I should have mentioned that they are ground & polished down to show the interior of the shell chambers. Thanks Erland R.N.

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:59 pm

I ought to try to get into fossils more than I am. Was fascinated with them as a youngster, and this shot remiknds me why.

Another note to self--Get Helicon Focus and learn to use it.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:26 pm

You did good Doug, excellent and very interesting shots.

Can't say I have ever personally seen one but I have seen other photographs of them.