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Out hunting today. Very few finds, but a few tigers, a few sand tigers, a larger puffer fish mouthplate and then this, which is worth sharing just because it is so different: Turned out to be a pretty good day! I believe I know what this is, but I have questions about method of fossilization and the shape of the end product. I also like the colors.

I found this today in the Hill Country of Texas, Northern Medina County. It was about 1/2 mile from the Medina River, at the base of a short upslope. The red, or maroon part feels like it has enamel.? It measures 1 1/4” long by 5/8” tall by 1/2” at the widest point. The smaller piece fits into a groove on the maroon part of the larger.

I need assistance with identification of several items. Any thoughts. North Texas cretaceous.

Greetings kind people, I am a complete novice in the field of fossil collecting. Kindly bear with me. My objective for collecting fossils: I want to learn paleontology work. I want to observe the fossils under a microscope, understand their body structure, their food habits.... Basically get a *whole story of the fossil* which I own, something that paleontologists do (I also want to explore all the methods that paleontologists use to study fossil and recreate them at home). So any fossil that will enable me to learn more about itself, I'd surely buy that. And also fossils which are more closer to actuality, rather than rare or good looking fossils. So any fossil that reveals more information is favoured over rare or good-looking fossils So here are my questions: 1) I'm trying to buy a spinosaur tooth. The seller is selling one spinosaur tooth which is red in colour for a higher price compared to a spinosaur tooth which looks almost like a rock. So is the red colour tooth more authentic or more valuable etc? Or is it just the same? My objective is to study those fossils under microscope. So if the red spinosaur tooth will provide more information, I'd buy that. 2) I see some dinosaur tooth still having some enamel. How is this possible? I mean shouldn't enamel be replaced by minerals too? Or is the enamel the only thing that is intact? If it is intact does it mean I'm holding a tooth which might have bit another dinosaur moments before it died and I can see the traces of that activity when I observe under the microscope? 3) I've seen polished ammonites which were split open. They carried a lot of information within, compared to unpolished ammonite. Which among those two types would reveal more information about the ammonite itself? Or which one should I go for, in general? 4)I am also planning to buy amber fossils. Some pointers and what to look for and what to keep away from would be appreciated. 5) Lastly, trilobites. How are trilobite fossils so well preserved? I've seen reedops protruding out of the rock like it's actually alive. But I read something about cast fossils and enhancements. So if I buy a reedops trilobite, does it mean it's been remade using plaster etc, or is it just as it is? Please bear in mind that I want to own fossils which closely resembles actuality Thank you so much for bearing with my silly doubts .I just want to educate myself and be an amateur paleontologist, studying fossils from home. Have a lovely day! P.s- I can upload some pictures and website links if need be.

It's nothing particularly exciting, but I just wanted to share what is possibly the prettiest looking Spinosauridae tooth I've ever seen. The enamel patterning on it is gorgeous, and very different to what I've come across on run-of-the-mill Spino teeth before. Both carinae and tip are also beautifully preserved. There is a pretty smooth enamel texture and no fluting, plus it's even sporting an offset, short mesial carina for an extra bit of personality. (51mm) Anyone else want to share their favourite colourful teeth?

Greetings I did some fossil hunting in Montana and came back with a few jewels. I don't mind doing the prep for the hadrosaur and trike material, but any recs on who I can send this tooth to? It is about 2.5 inches long and looks to be T. Rex. I want it to look as good as possible, but I am too much of a rookie to take it one myself. It still has a fair amount of matrix on it. Thanks

Found this a year or two back while creek walking in Central Texas (Austin area). I always figured it was just part of a cretaceous era shell which are so common in our creeks. But I've recently seen pictures of mastodon enamel, and I've gotta say it looks similar. Any chance I'm on to something?

So when I was taking a better look at my spinosaurus teeth I noticed that in the enamel part there are lines coming out from bottom to top, are these created by minerals or it was some kind of blood vessels or veins from when the animal was alive? Thanks.

I have a focus on whale today because I recently obtained a few. This generally leads me to trying to understand and identify my finds. This in turn leads to questions. What is Whale Ivory? When I can not find answers or at least thoughtful discussion elsewhere, thanks for TFF. I found a PDF here: https://www.cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/resources/pub/E-Ivory-guide.pdf Nothing in the above definition of Whale Ivory ever uses the word "Ivory". What exactly is the whale Ivory? Modern Whale tooth -- Is the slightly yellow tip the enamel? Is the Cementum covering the Ivory? What about Fossil whale teeth like this Scaldicetus: The tip enamel is easily seen. Is the outer covering Cementum or Ivory or both?

Fossil Forum! Turning to your wisdom as always as we play another round of "Is it a tooth?"! Guessing we have a tooth here of some kind, but the enamel and shape are unusual. It measures the size of a quarter in diameter. Found in the cretaceous river beds of Monmouth NJ. Plus those cut marks are a fascinating bonus feature. What kind of fossil find is this? Could it be reptilian?

I found this teeth on a beach in the Savannah River. I have to specimens both broken but I believe there the same species. Both have the what it appears to be a three root base. Specimen A Any input its appreciated! Thanks!!

Not sure on this one and not mine so I am pretty sure I will get requests for other angles but not sure that I can get them. Was found in a N. Texas creek this weekend. Looks like enamel but could be calcite?

This thing is heavy and I'm not sure if it's a fossil but it's not metal and it looks like it is covered in enamel. It's about 2" long and 1-1/4" wide and 1/2 " thick.

#1 was screened from the ocean at Venice Beach, the others were found in Peace River Not sure #5 can be identified but it looked like it was coated with enamel

Ok this is probably the last one

Searching for an ID on this pc