[Jewelry making - Article 01382] - Re: [Orchid] Agatized dinosaur bones

[Mark Johnson]

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Kevin,

    I agree 100% that fossilized dinosaur bone is NOT an agate and I see
    your point. 

    While they may both be members of the Species Group
    Cryptocrystalline Quartz and the same variety of Chalcedony and even
    share the same chemical composition they are NOT the same thing.
    Agates have specific growth patterns that are not shared by
    fossilized dinosaur bone. 

    The problem comes from the term "Agatized" which implies that the
    dinosaur bone has become an agate which is not the case. "Agatized"
    has been used as a term describing some fossil processes for decades
    and it is indeed misleading because it implies that the new material
    is agate. Dinosaur bone like petrified wood becomes stone through the
    process of the organic material being replaced by mineral when
    mineral laden water circulated through it. This starts with the
    softer parts like the marrow and vascular system. Then as the harder
    calcium is broken down it is replaced by minerals. Because this
    happens a different times you get the wonderful patterns that is
    unique to fossilized dinosaur bone because of different mineral
    compositions in the solution when the deposits are made. 

    The actual process is called a pseudomorphosis as it seems like the
    original material has changed as in the case of metamorphic stones
    when actually the original organic material has been flushed away and
    replaced by mineral. 

    A more proper term would be to use petrified dinosaur bone. But I do
    have to say that agatized dinosaur bone sounds a lot more romantic
    than pseudomorphized dinosaur bone..... 

Mark Johnson
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