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We live in Southwest Michigan. We have a large barn filled with miscellaneous things including many large rocks collected over the years. We have no idea where this one might be from- possibly belonged to our Aunt from Chicago who spent time in Australia, Hawaii and Florida (sorry I know that doesn't help I'm just trying to give details). I really love this rock, and would appreciate any thoughts! I have the utmost respect for paleontology, and zero experience in this field unfortunately, so I do not know how to look at this with educated eyes. Knowing this, forgive me as I describe what I see: The rock is very heavy (20 lbs) and appears to have metal or iron embedded in certain spot areas. In those particular areas (of iron) it is shiny, slippery and smooth. All other areas are rough, rock like. There are a few tiny bright green flecks that look like gemstone, as well as little crystal flecks at the flat end where it appears to have been broken off. Opposite that end, at the more narrow end, there is a series of something that looks like it could have been alive- a tiny spine or something? A long bug? Additionally there is a mark in the center that stands out almost heart shaped that is interesting in appearance as well. I have it positioned on a round placemat that is 15 inches across. It is so heavy that if I pull the placemat across the granite, it feels like it's cutting or scraping the granite surface. Thanks in advance, looking forward to your comments!

I like lumpy, warty rocks so saw only one side of this before getting it home to see the other side, which I generally expect to be nothing too surprising. This piece, however, is so very different on it's flip side that even though I can see the cross section of it I really can't decide if I've got a crazy rock, track fossil, or an artifact (unlikely at best). I took as many pics as I could as they aren't as good as I'd like. As usual, I was hounding along the river as it rambles through the Nebraska panhandle. Please, post this where it belongs and, as always, I hold what you all say to be true and infallible so I can never be disappointed by what you opine in response to my inquiries! I haven't Beeker'd around with it, torching or smashing, as it's so small--but say the word and I'll happily give it the run of tests. *My sister asked me if I've ever used the word "opine" in conversation, I had not. Screenshot. Done. Lol.

Could this be a fossil or a body fossil? The white powdery mineral sticks to wet fingers and the black rock underneath looks kind of segmented and symmetrical. But lumpy. It looks like it has a stem or neck with a flat bottom. Found in western pa. About 1.25” x .75” fairly heavy, dark and dense mineral underneath about a 5 mohs hardness. I know it’s probably nothing but worth a shot. Thank you!

I honestly don’t know what to say about this. Is it even an ammonite??? Looks so unusually lumpy. Found this deep in my collection without locality info or time period. The back has some kind of glue that has yellowed. I’ve got no idea how that got there...