- Fossil type
- Natural pyritized ammonite fossil
- Origin
- Aveyron, France
- Treatment
- Stabilized
- Form
- Whole specimen
- Size
- 11.7mm
- Weight
- 0.79g
- Hardness
- 6-6.5
Natural Pyritized Ammonite 0.79g 11.7mm
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A small pyritized ammonite with a warm bronze-gold metallic surface and heavily textured, cauliflower-like suture patterns covering the face. The tightly spiralled form is nearly complete, and the bronze metallic sheen has the natural uneven warmth characteristic of iron pyrite mineralization.
Pyritized ammonites form when iron pyrite replaces the original shell material during fossilization in anoxic sediment, leaving a solid metallic fossil. These come from Jurassic shale deposits in Aveyron, southern France - a classic European locality for pyritized ammonites.
Natural pyritized ammonite from Aveyron, France - sold as a single specimen.
We ship worldwide from Sofia, Bulgaria. Every order is packed in a protective box with bubble wrap. Orders within Bulgaria are dispatched within 1-2 business days and international orders within 2-3 business days. Free shipping is applied automatically at checkout, and the threshold applies to the order value after any discounts.
Delivery within Bulgaria
- Delivered by Speedy, Econt or Box Now, to a courier office, a locker or your address.
- Fixed prices: Box Now locker €1.60 (free on orders from €25), Speedy office €3.20, Econt office or locker €4.00, Speedy to your address €4.50.
- Free shipping on orders over €50, with any courier and at any weight.
- Cash on delivery is available.
- Delivery normally takes 1-2 business days after dispatch.
- Keep dryThe shell of this ammonite has been replaced by pyrite, which can slowly decay in damp air. A white powder or a sulfur smell are the first signs. Do not wash it: dust it with a soft brush, dry it at once if it gets wet, and store it somewhere dry, ideally with a silica gel sachet.
- Hardness
- 6-6.5
- Cleavage
- None
- Durability
- Fair
- Soapy water
- Avoid
- Ultrasonic
- Avoid
- Steam
- Avoid
About pyritized ammonite
Ammonites are fossil shells of extinct sea animals related to today’s octopus and squid. In a pyritized ammonite the shell was replaced by pyrite, an iron sulfide that gives it its metallic golden shine and a hardness of 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale.
Cleaning
Do not wash it. Dust it with a soft dry brush or an air blower, and handle it with clean, dry hands. Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners: moisture and heat speed up pyrite decay. Keep it away from acids, even lemon juice and vinegar.
Wear and storage
Store it on its own in a dry box or a soft pouch, away from bathrooms, kitchens and damp rooms. Harder stones such as quartz can scratch it, so keep it apart from them.
Scale
True to scale: 11.7 mm
Shown next to a €1 coin (23.25 mm) in the exact ratio, so you can picture the real size. The outline is approximate.
