Buying fossils in bulk may require some help from a wholesaler who knows what your customers will want.  This can be difficult to find on the Internet.  Not every distributor offers a wide selection of rocks, minerals, fossils and souvenir items, but all of these are easy to find at Pikes Peak Rock Shop.  In fact, the selection is all showcased in an easy-to-navigate online catalog with photographs and descriptions of every item.  For retailers who are not familiar with these items and cannot tell the difference between a fish fossil, a trilobite and an ammonite, PPR makes it is easy to buy bulk fossils with confidence.

Before you buy bulk fossils, or any rocks and minerals for that matter, it is important to understand what they are and who will be interested in buying them.  Not ever rock shop retailer is an expert on fossils, so Pikes Peak Rock includes descriptions on their entire selection of ammonite, fish and trilobite fossils.  Beyond that, it may be helpful to pick up a book on the history of fossils.  Let’s take a quick look at these interesting specimens.  According to the scientific community, the earliest reported fossils date back 3.5 million years, long before complex multi-cell life forms began to emerge on the fossil record.  While older fossils most certainly exist, the majority of today’s fossil hunters are out looking for much younger specimens.

Most of today’s bulk fossils are made from the fossilized remains of trilobite, ammonite, and fish themselves, or from the impressions these organisms made on sedimentary rock.  Other popular fossils are made from the impressions left by flora on sedimentary rock. Generally, any such biological evidence that is deemed to be in existence for more than a few thousand years is considered a fossil.

What are Dendrites?

Dendrite looks a lot like a fossil, but in actuality the striations in these specimens are not the remains of living things.  The unique patterns created by dark Manganese minerals give the appearance of branches and tiny organisms that were trapped within the layers, and some of them even mimic the colors found in landscape paintings.  The dendrite stone shown here features a series of branching patterns that stand out against a Utah sandstone “background” and also includes areas of Moss Agate for greenery.  Of course, all dendrite stones are different, so the inventory you get from your supplier may look quite a bit different than this one.

The size of the dendrite stone you purchase will also determine the patterns it includes, but each one looks remarkably like a plant-based fossil. Collectors will often look for an XX-Large size dendrite measuring up to 12” long, which looks terrific as the centerpiece in a display of rocks and minerals.  However, an extra small dendrite can be as small as 2”.

What are the metaphysical properties of agate?

Dendritic Agate is a form of Moss Agate that is often associated with metaphysical practices and it can also be purchased as a pendant or necklace.  In its smallest form, dendrite contains images that resemble a tree or shrub, but it can also appear to be a Shamanic figure.  According to metaphysical enthusiasts, the Moss Agate is a stone of new beginnings, making it the perfect holiday gift to start a new year. It is known to refresh the soul and help people see the beauty in what is right in front of them.  It also attracts wealth and helps improve one’s self-esteem.

For the best selection of dendrite from a reliable supplier, check the latest collections at Pikes Peak Rock Shop.

A recent trip to a store called Anthropologie in New York revealed a growing trend toward natural stone accessories for the home.  Just like the fashions we wear, home décor trends are cyclical. This means that something that was popular ten or twenty years ago is almost certain to come around again.  But today’s obsession with stone items may be here for a little longer.  According to store buyers for some of the top designer showrooms, Americans are going “back to nature” for many reasons.  One is the rapid advancements in technology.  Natural items like crystals, shells, geode bookends, a bowl of pine cones, amethyst clusters and agate slices are bringing an earthiness back on the scene that is a perfect complement to flat screen TVs, iPads, Kindles and all the other gadgets.

When you start to see geodes and natural crystals show up in the fanciest furniture showrooms as well as the trendiest downtown boutiques, it is an encouraging sign for retailers who sell rocks and minerals.  It means that even the person with no interest in rock or fossil collecting is likely to come in looking for geode bookends, black tourmaline structures, obelisks, pyramids and large cut geodes.  In fact, they may even want to purchase these items from you online.

As always, I like to encourage rock shop owners to get creative with their choice of inventory for the holidays, because our industry is constantly changing.  Suppliers like Pikes Peak Rock Shop are always looking for the best new items for sale, and coming up with new ways for you to merchandise them in your store.  If you pay attention to the trends in home furnishings and high-end retailing, you will be asking your suppliers about geode bookends.  This holiday season, there’s a lot to get excited about in the world of rocks and minerals.

Before you buy wholesale fossils for your store, here is an overview about how they were formed and what makes them so unique.  There are actually several different processes involved in preserving the image of a plant or animal on sedimentary rock. In most cases, fossils are formed by pure luck, or happenstance, because most living creatures decay quickly upon death or they are attacked by natural bacteria or predators, consuming all but their shells or bones.

Despite these facts, millions of fossils have been found around the world. When you consider the number of wholesale fossil dealers who are able to supply continuous inventory for retail stores, museums and private collections, it’s hard to believe that fossils are actually rare, but they are.  In actuality, the number of available fossils is just a tiny fraction of the billions and billions of living things that have crept upon the face of the earth throughout history.

Fossils are an important part of our geological record, and help paleontologists come to important conclusions about a variety of ancient species.   While there is much to be learned about fossils, one thing is clear.  They were formed in many ways, including refrigeration or freezing in the earth at the time of death or desiccation (drying in the sun).  Others were encased in tar, such as those found in the La Brea Tar Pits, and still others are encased in an amber resin.  Not all of these fossils are currently available for purchase, since many of them are too valuable for the average buyer.  But wholesale fossils can be purchased in bulk at affordable prices for collectors, educators and students.

For the best selection and prices on wholesale fossils, check out the online catalog at Pikes Peak Rock Shop.  Inventory is updated regularly and includes a variety of unique fossils from around the world.

Before you buy bulk fossils, including rock, ammonite, fish and trilobite fossils, let’s take a quick look at the history of fossils.  According to the scientific community, the earliest reported fossils date back 3.5 million years, long before complex multi-cell life forms began to emerge on the fossil record.  While it is worth noting that these older fossils exist, the majority of today’s fossil hunters are searching for much younger fossils.  Most of today’s bulk fossils are made from the fossilized remains of ammonites, fish and trilobites or from the impressions these organisms made on sedimentary rock.  Other popular fossils are made from flora that has made an impression on rock. Generally, any such biological evidence that is deemed to be in existence for more than a few thousand years is considered a fossil.

So what are the most popular fossils sold in retail stores today?   While there are certainly plenty of rare fossils available for the collector, most rock and mineral retailers buy bulk fossils such as trilobites, ammonite and fish fossil rocks.  Many of these are suitable for display on a shelf, but others are formed into more practical items, such as an ammonite fossil dish. 

What if your customers have questions about fossils?  Most of the retailers who buy bulk fossils are not paleontologists or geologists, so don’t worry if you don’t know everything about ammonite, trilobite and fish fossil formations.  It never hurts to know a little about the age and origin of the fossils that you sell, but some store owners also sell small books about collecting fossils.  These are a popular add-on item for families who are buying fossils for young children. 

Your fossil inventory will depend on the type of customer your store attracts, but there is usually room for a few special specimens in your display.  I usually recommend that rock shops dedicate a table or display area to selling fossils, and provide some quick reference cards next to each type of fossil.  If you need a resource for buying bulk fossils, including rocks, fish, ammonites and trilobites, visit the online catalog at Pikes Peak Rock Shop today.

If you are buying bulk fossils for sale this summer, but you also need a reliable selection of rocks and minerals, consider buying them from a single source – the Pikes Peak Rock Shop.  This Colorado based rock and mineral wholesaler is a well known source of retail supplies for rock shops and other specialty retailers.  Located in the geological tourism region, Pikes Peak Rock Shop offers quick delivery for your orders so you can take advantage of the busiest tourist season. 

Not sure which fossils, rocks and minerals to buy? It’s easy to know you’re buying the right inventory when you deal with an expert.  Visitors to the Pikes Peak Rock Shop web site are usually surprised at the level of detail provided here, including full-color photos and detailed descriptions of everything they sell.  In addition to buying bulk fossils for sale from this supplier, many retailers find Pikes Peak Rock to be an excellent source of metaphysical supplies, loose polished stones, and rare mineral specimens.  Some of the more popular “countertop items”, such as puffed hearts and… are perpetual bestsellers at Pikes Peak Rock Shop and they are a great way to add to your average purchase per customer. 

One item that sells extraordinarily well in souvenir gift shops is the Ammonite Orthoceras fossil plate, which is available in two sizes.  These items are prominently featured at shops like the Cave of the Winds gift shop and the rock shop at Seven Falls in Colorado Springs.  When buying bulk fossils online, it is always a good idea to search for specific items like these because they make excellent gift ideas.  For more ideas like this one, and to learn more about buying bulk fossils for sale, visit the digital catalog at Pikes Peak Rock Shop.

As parents, it is important to develop these interests to their greatest potential, and continue to help kids learn more about science and history as they grow.  However, as children grow older, they tend to be more influenced by their friends and less interested in rock collecting. 

As a rock retailer, your job is to capture the attention of young children and their parents as early as possible.  The longer a child stays interested in rock collecting, the more likely they are to continue this hobby as adults.  There is still time this season to purchase bulk fossils wholesale and display them prominently in your store.  Parents love to indulge their children in hobbies like this, and don’t even mind spending the money to develop an interest in science.  It’s a great idea to inspire children to explore their world, and nothing works quite as well as rock collecting.  But there are some intrinsic benefits to rock collecting that many people don’t grasp. 

Sellers of rocks and other natural items may remember that long before they placed their first order for bulk fossils wholesale, they received plenty of these ancient specimens from their parents.  Even if they didn’t continue their passion, they may remember the confidence it gave them to start collecting at an early age.  Children learn a lot of new things in their early years that may not follow them for the rest of their lives, but they all contribute to helping a child build his or her identity.  Whether it is playing a musical instrument, getting their yellow belt in karate, or having a “killer” fossil collection, a child’s earliest interests help them define who they are.

If you want to start a young child on a collection of fossils, the best place to start is with the teeth. Sharks teeth are more than just your average shark; they are from the Paleocene Otodus Shark, only found in Morocco.  Teeth are also available from a sea-going reptile called a mosasaur, most of which are found in the Kem Kem Basin in Morocco.  Imagine your child’s excitement when it’s his turn for show and tell, and he gets to show off his “teeth”. 

Rock shop owners – get prepared for busy season of geological tourism and order your bulk fossils wholesale now.

In case you are not familiar with ammonites, these fossilized mammals are part of a sub class known as the Ammonoidea, which are part of the Cephalopod classification of mollusks.  Originally known as “Ammon’s Stones”, ammonites bear a striking resemblance to the ancient ram’s horns of Ammon, a god that has long been associated with life and procreation. 

Roughly polished on the top, these ancient fossils are oval-shaped an unpolished on the bottom.  Collectors look for unique varieties of these fossil rocks because every ammonite is different.  Whether purchased as a collector piece or used to make jewelry, your supplier should have a good selection of fossil rocks from this family of Moroccan cephalopods.

Keep in mind when you purchase fossil rocks like this from your supplier, that every Ammonite can be linked to a specific period of geological time, which can usually be determined by the rock layer where they were found.  Some of the common Ammonite fossils sold at Pikes Peak Rock Shop have been compared to the modern-day Nautilus shell, but the closest living relatives to the Ammonite is actually a squid or cuttlefish. 

When ammonites were first discovered, European explorers called them serpent stones, because they believed the rocks were actually petrified snakes.  In some early European port cities, carved ammonites were sold as souvenirs with a snakes face on them.  In Nepal, the Hindus believed ammonites to be physical representations of Hindu gods. 

While most of the ammonites and other fossil rocks available from your supplier originated from the Pierre Shale formation in the US and Canada, it is still possible to purchase Moroccan ammonite fossils.  As your rock and mineral supplier, Pikes Peak Rock has the best selection of fossil rocks and ammonite for amateur collectors and tourists.

Buying bulk fossils once meant searching through piles of rough looking shale to find the perfect imprint, but these smaller fossils are not the only ones available.  In fact, some of the most impressive looking fossils are those that can become the focal point of a room.  If your store is looking for ways to attract new customers, then searching through the bulk fossils available at Pikes Peak Rock may inspire you. 

Below are some examples of the bulk fossils that are most often purchased as decorator items.

• Ammonite Fossil Dish – Available in either a 9 or 13 inch size, these attractive sculpted serving dishes are made from either Orthceras or Gonatite fossils that have been polished smooth, with an Ammonite fossil added to the handle.
• Freestanding Goniatites – Best known as an ancient ancestor to the Nautilus shell, these bulk fossils are imprinted by marine cephalopods and found in the mountains of Morroco.  Each one includes an information card about the origins of the fossil.
• Enchodus Jaw Fossil – If your idea of home decorating involves a display of the fossilized teeth of predatory fish, then the Enchodus jaw fossil will be an excellent choice.  One of the most unusual bulk fossils available online, this 96 million year old fossil has a streamlined body with extremely sharp teeth, and is capable of attacking its prey at lightning speed.
• Large Orthoceras Plate – These bulk fossils are made from a 350 million year-old marine cephalopod that resembles a modern-day squid.  Found in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, these plates contain multiple fossils that vary in size.
• Phacops Trilobite Fossils – Looking at these extinct creatures, which became widespread in the warm and shallow seas about 400 million years ago, the trilobite is a very interesting creature.  Approximately 5” in size, this insect-like creature is amazingly well preserved.

Looking at the number of recently added large bulk fossils available at Pikes Peak Rock Shop, it is no wonder that designers are snatching them up.  Find out more about how to decorate with these amazing specimens.

The online catalog at Pike’s Peak Rock Shop (www.PikesPeakRock.com/catalog) is an excellent resource for every imaginable rock and mineral specimen, and they have recently added new bracelets and necklaces to their selection.  Before you buy gemstone jewelry wholesale, check out this beautiful collection of items made from natural quartz, minerals, and polished stones.  Every element of these pieces is made from semiprecious stones or fresh water pearls, with no cheap plastic or glass fillers.  Just one look at these creatively designed bracelets and necklaces, and it’s easy to see why they are such a big hit. 

Combinations of gemstones include Smoky Quartz with Freshwater Pearls and Quartz; Aventurine with Yellow Jade; Hematite with Garnet and Freshwater Pearls; and Tiger Eye with Picture Jasper and Blackstone, just to name a few.  Each of these can be purchased individually when you buy gemstone jewelry wholesale, or they can be purchased as a package.  The package includes twelve styles of bracelets and necklaces and the added value of a spinner display that makes it easy for customers to see every style.

If you want to buy the best looking natural gemstone jewelry wholesale, check out the incredible selection at Pikes Peak Rock Shop.