Not only is collecting fossils an excellent hobby, but a great investment. Since fossils are rare, they never decrease in value, only increase. Collectors should focus on high quality and a variety of fossils to add to their collection. A beginner collector should invest in marine fossils such as the dastilbe fish or pyritized ammonites. Shark teeth such as the megalodon teeth and the great white shark teeth may be more expensive, but worth the cost. Megalodon teeth can get to as big as seven inches, which could easily cost you $5,000. A collector could get a three-inch megalodon tooth in excellent condition for around $50.00.

Shark teeth always make great necklaces! Geisenoceras, which are fossilized squid, add a wow factor to the collection. Geisenoceras are usually polished and are quite impressive. You cannot have a fossil marine collection without sand dollars. Fossilized sand dollars have turned into stone and will not break like modern sand dollars do. Fossilized sand dollars, such as the ones from Baja, California, range in colors from orange to brown to cream colored. The sand dollars from Madagascar are older and therefore much heavier and thicker. These are usually polished, which make collectors more attracted to these sand dollars than the ones from Baja.

Another great category for beginner collectors are fossil bones. Beginner collectors should consider Bison bones from Alaska. They are usually more affordable compared to mammoth bones. Affordable Bison bones from the Ice Age can range from $10.00 to $50.00 depending on size and rarity. Dinosaur bones are impressive, but a little more expensive for the beginner collector. A large dinosaur vertebrae could easily be $50.00. Vertebras are great in a collection because you can see the details.

Smaller bone fragments are much cheaper, but not as impressive. The neat thing about dinosaur bones is that with the right equipment, one can polish the bone and it becomes a beautiful piece. Collectors always want dinosaur eggs in their collection, but they can be quite costly. For an example, a pair of double Hadrosaur eggs from China would be about $600-$700. If you have the opportunity to buy a dinosaur egg in excellent condition, a collector should considering its rarity and future value.

Most fossil collectors also have gems and minerals in their collection. Minerals are usually inexpensive and there is a large variety available. A beginner collector should invest in rainbow fluorite. Rainbow fluorite comes in a variety of colors including purple, pink, and green and usually has a marbled look. Amethyst is another great mineral that varies from light purple to a deep purple. The crystals range from small to large and give off great sparkle. Moqui marbles are a little more rare since they are only found in southeast Utah. They make a great addition to a beginner’s collection because of the story behind it. Moqui marbles are sometimes known as Shaman stones, which were believed to have healing powers, provide protection, and stimulate the CHI. Some believe that these hollow stones were formed from a meteor hitting the earth, while others believe that they were formed by volcanoes.

Beginners should research before they buy so that they get the best deal.

A great website collectors should visit is http://www.treasuredworld.com. This website has a variety of fossils, such as Megalodon shark teeth, dinosaur eggs, and amethyst, available for every person’s budget.

Sabrina Tolle is a graduate of California State University of Northridge. After her graduation, she decided to start her own business in fossils, artwork, and antiques. Her online business is found at http://www.treasuredworld.com.

Abalone is a type of mollusk that is primitive and is at least thirty million years old. There are about 8 varieties and is not expensive as oysters and mussels. It can be found in Alaska, California, Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. It is chunk and plain looking mollusk which produces the nacre to protect itself from bacteria infections. The nacre is used to form pearls but it takes about 8 to 9 years of time. They are used in making expensive jwellery models thanks to the exceptionally strong and natural loveliness. It can be incorporated in to variety of styles from contemporary designs to Victorian styles. They can even be incorporated to sculpture carvings. The shell has got many other uses and can be used in decorative materials, musical instruments.

Fossil coral shells are exactly having the same qualities as other type of shells. They are found in abundance in the Pacific Ocean coastline. Fossil coral shells are mostly the remains of plants and animals and it takes huge time to form as a shell. It has got a wide range of uses and is mostly used in ethical and traditional works like jewellery design. It gives elegant design and artistry looks. They should never be exposed to any kind of chemical substance.

Paua shells are iconic to specific coastlines. They come in absolutely stunning colors like blue, purple, gold and green. They are polished to show the maximum potential of the shells. Paua is a certain type of abalone shell found mostly in New Zealand. They are found in the shallow coastal water at a depth of 15 meters. They can sustain the hard tidal waves and fee on the nearby seaweed. It is one of the beautiful shells in the world and hence their presence in jewellery items makes it even worthier.

If you are looking for more information then feel free to visit Abalone Shell and Fossil Coral Shell

By Jitesh Arora

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Located nine miles northwest of Mitchell, Oregon and seventy-five miles east of Bend, the Painted Hills are a unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. They are named after the colorful layers of its hills, which correspond to various geologic eras. The Painted Hills are a spectacular sight best seen in the late afternoon sun, which illuminates the vibrantly colored layers of soil. Yellow, gold, black, and red soil layers are all present in the park. Differing light and moisture levels can impact the appearance of the beautiful colors and hues of the soil.

The Painted Hills are also known for the rich plant and animal fossil records that have been extremely well preserved in the terrain. Fossil records of ancient rhinoceros and horses dating back fifty million years have been found in the park. The fossils of varying species demonstrate the dramatic climatic changes that have shaped the region over time.

The Painted Hills can be visited year-round. They are in a remote, arid region of Eastern Oregon with summer temperatures that often reach above ninety degrees. Average daytime temperatures in the winter are typically in the thirties with occasional snow. In the spring, typically in May and June, wildflowers abound. Outdoor exhibits, hiking trails, and a picnic area are available for visitors.

To get to the Painted Hills, if coming from the west in Madras, Oregon, take Highway 26 east through Prineville and the Ochoco National Forest. Just before the small town of Mitchell, take a left at the signs for the Painted Hills, which are located nine miles from Highway 26. If coming from the east in Baker City, Oregon, take Highway 7 west for approximately fifty miles and then connect with Highway 26 westbound. Mitchell is approximately one hundred miles to the west. Along the way, you will pass through the beautiful Strawberry Mountains and Blue Mountains along the John Day River and the towns of Prairie City, John Day, and Mount Vernon, before arriving in Mitchell.

The other two units of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument are Sheep Rock, which is northwest of Dayville, Oregon, and Clarno, which is twenty miles west of appropriately named Fossil, Oregon.

See great photos of the Painted Hills and more on my website: http://oregonphotoblog.freehostia.com.

By Jason F. Nelson

The Jurassic coastline of Dorset is a fossil hunting haven for both novice and experienced fossil collectors. The 150km (95 mile) stretch of coastline covering Dorset and East Devon spans 185 million years of geological history and has been granted World Heritage Status.

Pliosaur Remains found in Dorset

November and April are generally the best times to go fossil hunting in Dorset as this is the period when mud flows and cliff falls expose fresh material for enthusiasts to explore. Recently, 25 large pieces of a fossil collected by Mr Sheehan, a local amateur fossil collector, were identified by palaeontologists as a Pliosaur. Only one fragment was missing from the front of the jaw. This marine reptile measuring in the range 10-16 meters lived about 140 million years ago and was believed to have been so powerful it could have bitten a car in half.

The extremely rare find, in almost pristine condition, has been purchased by Dorset County Council for £20,000 with money form the Heritage Lottery Fund. David Tucker, the County’s museums advisor, said: “Our aim is to purchase fossils found along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and to get them into local museums – we want to put really exceptional fossils in museums.” Experts think this latest discovery could represent one of the largest pliosaurs ever found.

Fossil Hunting on the Jurassic Coast

The discovery of the Pliosaur has captured people’s imagination and they are discovering the joys of fossil hunting along our Dorset coast. If you plan to try fossil hunting for the first time, it is best to first check the weather forecast and tide tables. High tides and rough seas produce the most fossils but these conditions can be dangerous. At this time of year you need to be equipped with warm jackets, water proof clothing, and sturdy boots and wait until the tide is on the way out before setting off.

The cliffs around Lyme Regis contain lots of well preserved fossils and the safest place to hunt for fossils is the beach, not the cliffs. If you are a novice collector, it is good to watch what other experienced fossil collectors are doing, where they are looking and what sort of rocks they are interested in. Watch how they examine and break the rocks and learn what types of rock are likely to contain fossils.

There exists a fossil collecting code of practice that applies to most of our coastline here in West Dorset. The golden rule is you can continue to keep fossils found on the beach or in material that has already broken away from the cliff, but you must not dig from or chip away at the cliff itself, for safety and other reasons. The code can be accessed at the Jurassic Coast website.

If you come across something unusual or interesting, take it to the Heritage Coast Centre at the sea front at Charmouth. The experts can assess and identify your find.

Who knows, you may discover the Pliosaur’s missing jaw piece!

By David Lakins

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The discovery of the oldest bee fossil supports the theory that bees evolved from wasps, scientists reported Wednesday.

The 100 million-year-old fossil was found in a mine in the Hukawng Valley of Myanmar (Burma) and preserved in amber. Amber, which begins as tree sap, often traps insects and plant structures before they fossilize.

“This is the oldest known bee we’ve ever been able to identify, and it shares some of the features of wasps,” said lead author George Poinar, a researcher from Oregon State University. “But overall it’s more bee than wasp, and gives us a pretty good idea of when these two types of insects were separating on their evolutionary paths.”

The quarter-inch fossil shares traits of the carnivorous wasp such as narrow hind legs while exhibiting branched hairs on its leg, a characteristic of the modern bee that allows pollen collection.

Around the same time the bee was trapped, plants that rely on mechanisms other than the wind to spread their seeds, started expanding and diversifying. Prior to that, the world was mostly green with conifer trees that depended on the wind for pollination.

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The partial leg bone of a sabre-toothed cat has been dredged from the seabed by a trawler in the North Sea.

The rare fossil, which is between one and two million years old and was found near the UK coast, is from a type of sabre-tooth called a scimitar cat.

According to palaeontologist Dick Mol, it belonged to an animal that was as heavy as a small horse.

It is the furthest north this species has ever been found, and the first time remains have come from the North Sea.

The dry steppe landscape, criss-crossed by rivers, where animals such as the scimitar cat once roamed was flooded at the end of the last Ice Age.

The fossil remains of more common extinct beasts such as the mammoth are routinely recovered from the sea by trawlers.

Beam trawlers use special gear to touch the sea bed, capturing flatfish lying in the sand. But this also stirs up shallow, buried fossil remains which can end up in the nets.

In the Netherlands, trawlermen are paid up to 100 euros for such discoveries.

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Paleontologists have made the most important discovery to date at the Arlington Archosaur Site, a prolific fossil site in North Arlington, Texas. The disassembled skull of a crocodile with two and a half inch long teeth that lived nearly 100 million years ago has been unearthed.

We have over 50 bones exposed,” said The University of Texas at Arlington dinosaurs lecturer Derek Main, who heads the project. “They are truly impressive. The teeth measure 6.5 centimeters, larger than my thumb.”

To date, more dinosaur fossils have been recovered from the Arlington Archosaur Site, where excavation began little more than a year ago, than from any other site in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The site lies within Cretaceous rocks, formed 95 million years ago when Arlington was the beachhead for a giant sea that divided the continent.

The site has yielded fossils from various species of animals, including dinosaurs. A skeleton of a large herbivorous “duck billed” dinosaur was excavated from the northern hillside at the site. Crocodile fossils are among the most commonly found.

Main said the site is unique because it is a major dinosaur excavation in the middle of a large metropolitan setting and it preserves many fossils from different animals. he site also has fossils from turtles, lungfish, fish and sharks. The excavation of the Arlington Archosaur Site began in the spring of 2008 when the Huffines Group obtained the property and granted land access to UT Arlington.

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Swarms of up to a thousand giant trilobites—extinct marine arthropods such as this 35-inch-long (90-centimeter-long) fossil specimen—roamed shallow prehistoric seas, new fossils show.

The 465-million-year-old fossils, found recently in northern Portugal, are of the largest trilobites ever discovered.

The trilobites may have clustered to mate and molt—shedding old exoskeletons as new ones grew in—as well as avoid predators, scientists say.

The benefits of swarming may explain why these distant relatives of horseshoe crabs were among the most widespread arthropods of the Paleozoic era (542 to 251 million years ago).

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Hurdia victoria was originally described in 1912 as a crustacean-like animal. Now, researchers from Uppsala University and colleagues reveal it to be just one part of a complex and remarkable new animal that has an important story to tell about the origin of the largest group of living animals, the arthropods.

The fossil fragments puzzled together come from the famous 505 million year old Burgess Shale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in British Columbia, Canada. Uppsala researchers Allison Daley and Graham Budd at the Department of Earth Sciences, together with colleagues in Canada and Britain, describe the convoluted history and unique body construction of the newly-reconstructed Hurdia victoria, which would have been a formidable predator in its time.

Although the first fragments were described nearly one hundred years ago, they were assumed to be part of a crustacean-like animal. It was not then realised that other parts of the animal were also in collections, but had been described independently as jellyfish, sea cucumbers and other arthropods. However, collecting expeditions from in the 1990s uncovered more complete specimens and hundreds of isolated pieces that led to the first hints that Hurdia was more than it seemed. The last piece of the puzzle was found when the best-preserved specimen turned up in the old collections at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC. This specimen was first classified as an arthropod in the 1970s and 80s, and then as an unusual specimen of the famous monster predator Anomalocaris.

The new description of Hurdia shows that it is indeed related to Anomalocaris. Like Anomalocaris, Hurdia had a segmented body with a head bearing a pair of spinous claws and a circular jaw structure with many teeth. But it differs from Anomalocaris by the possession of a huge three-part carapace that projects out from the front of the animal’s head.

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An ancient fossil crocodile coated in armadillo-like body armor was unveiled yesterday at an environmental museum in Brazil.

It was 6.6 feet (2 meters) long, weighed about 265 pounds (120 kilograms), and had a relatively wide head with a narrow, toothy snout.

Body armor has never been “found in any other fossil or living crocodile species,” Ismar de Souza Carvalho, a paleontologist at the Federal University in Rio de Janeiro, said via email.

And “the strangeness did not stop there,” Thiago Marinho, a paleontologist with the Federal University, added in an email. “This crocodyliform could [chew] like mammals do, like we do.”

Most modern crocs simply use their powerful jaws to clamp down on their prey. But the fossil crocodile could move its lower jaw forward and backward, using its teeth to tear into dried meat, roots, pine branches, and mollusks, Marinho said.

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