Pyrite Fossils

(towards our museum) 

Pyrite
Pyrite is a Sedimentary Mineral. It is found in the following colors: gold, silver and rusty/oxidized (brown, black, red or green).
Pyrite is nicknamed 'Fools Gold' because during The Gold Rush in the mid-1800s,  it was mistaken for Gold.
Pyrite is found in a complex of different Cuboids; they overlap, so you may see one cube with the corner or edge of another cube appearing to protrude from it. 

The link: Pyrite and Fossils 
Fossils are sometimes found preserved in Pyrite. Pyrite Fossils are preserved in immaculate detail. They weigh significantly more than normal Fossils.
Sometimes a Fossil can be partly preserved in Pyrite. 
(Don't try to dissect your Fossils in search of Pyrite as it is unlikely you will find it!)
Pyrite Fossils are normally found in large quantities, called Pyrite Veins. 

Caring for your Pyrite Fossils.
After being exposed to moisture; when the moisture evaporates, Pyrite Fossils sometimes go rusty. If you live in a Desert climate and moisture is scarce this will not apply.
You can prevent rust by:
   A: Dipping it in vegetable/sunflower oil and leaving it to dry. (Do this monthly or leave             fossil in a container of oil). 
   B: Set it in Resin, plastic or glass; let the fossil dry first (eg. blow dry).
   C: Store in a NON-CORROSIVE liquid (i.e: deoxygenated water...etc).

Pyrite Fossils
Pyrite Fossils are often from the Triassic or Jurassic period. Fossils found before the Mississippian are unlikely to be Pyritised. 
Sometimes the difference is only noticeable by weight, (e.g: Wood) as Pyrite Fossils weigh significantly more. 
Common Pyrite Fossils found include Ammonites, Bivalves and Gastropods. Some Pyrite Fossils have different names, e.g: Pyritised Bivalves are called Pseudomytiloides.

Contact us: fossilidentification@gmail.com


Daniel Hermann