Russian Ammonites

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 5:01 am

Here are some pictures of a trio of Amnnonites from Russia, from the Jurassic period. The first one is 1.5" wide. The second picture is the reverse side showing the Iron Pyrite replacement in the chambers (I posted different pictures of this specimen in a post a while ago). The third picture is a couple of smaller Ammonites showing their opal-like colors. The smaller one is .5" in diameter and the second one is .650" in diameter. As it turns out , I thought that they were opalized but it is their natural Mother Of Pearl shell that is preserved

It is caused by the light passing through the various layers of aragonite and conchiolin deposited by the ammonite in life. The deposite environment was one that was also anoxic, allowing replacement of the animal by Iron Pyrite (Fool's Gold).
Old Post http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... +ammonites

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Bruce Williams · Post by **Bruce Williams** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 5:32 am

Some very interesting photos Doug and the link was very useful and informative too.

Like you I would have assumed that the iridiscence was a product of fossilisation rather than the ammonite's natural shell. You can almost imagine the ammonites shimmering in the filtered sunlight as they swam through the Jurassic seas. There is so much about the colour of early life that is lost to us forever so something like this is a real treasure.

The iron pyrite interior is amazing - I have never seen one like it "in the flesh" so to speak. You might find this liink on pyritisation interesting Doug, as it touches on preservation methods.

Bruce

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 5:39 am

Those are some far out photographs there Doug.

You guys sure have a lot of neat stuff. I need to collect stuff. That thing with the pyrite is pretty interesting too.

cactuspic · Post by **cactuspic** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 2:22 pm

Wonderful photo and neat post, Doug. It will probablycapture my wife Robin"s curiosity and therefore it earn us both double points

Irwin

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 4:04 pm

Very cool, especially the pyrite fossil.

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 4:18 pm

Thanks everyone for the great comments. I learned a lot from doing this post also. Great link Bruce, I had no Idea how fossils got pyrtised (is that a word??)