Buyers of Bulk Fossil Rock: What you need to know about Bulk Ammonite Fossils

Bulk ammonite fossils are a popular selection among rock shop retailers because of their interesting geological history.  If you are a planning to purchase bulk fossils, bulk fossil fish, or bulk fossil rocks, it makes sense to become familiar with what makes each of these fossils unique.

Ammonites, which are part of the order of Ammonitida, are fossils from an extinct species of marine animals.  Because of their unique properties, ammonites can often be linked to very specific geological time periods based on the rock layer in which they are found.

The fossil shells of ammonites often take the form of spirals, making them appear similar to the modern Nautilus, but in today’s environment the closest living species to ancient ammonites are octopus, cuttlefish and squid.

Early Europeans thought these fossils were petrified snakes, which is how they became known as “serpentstones” in medieval England. In those days, traders were known to carve a snake’s face into the end of ammonite fossils and sell them as souvenirs.  Even Hindus who found these fossils in Nepal’s Gandaki River, believed them to be a physical manifestation of Vishu (or God).

Many of the bulk ammonite fossils available to rock sellers today are from sedentary deposits such as the Cretaceous Pierre Shale formation of the United States and Canada.  These are known as Pierre Shale ammonites.

A rare form of iridescent ammonites can be found in places as diverse as Madagascar and Alberta Canada. Once polished, these sparkling fossils can often be considered to be “gem quality.”

As a buyer of bulk fossil rocks, becoming an expert on the individual qualities of these geological finds can make you a trusted advisor to your most loyal customers – fossil collectors.