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Fossils in quartz?

Ramona

By Ramona
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Ramona Regular Member

Ramona

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I continue to be amazed at the plethora of fossils in our yard, so I tried an experiment.  I raked up some rocks that were around a tree in our front yard and half filled a five gallon bucket with them.  I figure that some of them were brought in as decorative rocks, but to test that theory I grabbed two from the top at random.  I cleaned them with vinegar and water and then photographed them with my macro lens.  They are at least a different type of rock than I am used to seeing (not all of these are different, but those two were).  I mostly see limestone, but I will post photos of these in the comments.  They look like quartz to me?  Or are they a different type of limestone?  And maybe I am imaging it, but I think I am seeing some crinoids and bryozoans in them?  If no one else sees them I will circle what I THINK are fossils for further verification.  

 

Is it odd to find an area so rich in fossils?  Or am I odd in that I am looking so closely for them, LOL?  I guess since this area was once covered in water, it is likely "normal" to find bryozoans and crinoids everywhere I look, right?

 

Thanks for all input!  I learn so much here!  (And I won't be surprised to hear that the following photos really ARE rocks that were likely brought in as decorative, LOL!)

Ramona

IMG_20200109_103607845.jpg

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Ramona Regular Member

Ramona

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Here is one of the rocks that I pulled off of the top of the bucket.  Does anyone else see fossils here or are my eyes playing tricks on me?

Thanks!
Ramona

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Fossildude19 Regular Member

Fossildude19

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Sorry, Ramona, but I am not seeing any fossils here.  :( 

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Ramona Regular Member

Ramona

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13 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said:

Sorry, Ramona, but I am not seeing any fossils here.  :( 

That is completely possible!  Let me magnify that I thought might be fossils and see what you think. What type of rock does this look like to you, also?  Thanks for your input!

Ramona

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Ramona Regular Member

Ramona

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Well, I'm not completely batty yet, LOL!!  Just pulled this out of the yard while digging a fence post up.  There are definite fossils in that thar' rock!  ;-)

Blessings
Ramona

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ziggycardon Regular Member

ziggycardon

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The first block is indeed just mineral, no fossils to be found
This block on the other hand contains bryozoa & crinoid stem fragments if I see it right

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Ramona Regular Member

Ramona

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2 minutes ago, ziggycardon said:

The first block is indeed just mineral, no fossils to be found
This block on the other hand contains bryozoa & crinoid stem fragments if I see it right

OK, thanks for taking the time to look at them for me!  
Ramona

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Kane Regular Member

Kane

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The second one is definitely fossil-rich. Find more of this source rock! :) 

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Ramona Regular Member

Ramona

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4 minutes ago, Kane said:

The second one is definitely fossil-rich. Find more of this source rock! :) 

It is all over my yard!  ;-)  Except for the first rock that started this thread, of course, LOL!

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Ludwigia Regular Member

Ludwigia

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Just to be sure, drip some vinegar essence or some other weak acid on that first rock. If it fizzes, then it's probably calcite. If it doesn't fizz, then it's probably quartz.

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Ramona Regular Member

Ramona

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2 hours ago, Ludwigia said:

Just to be sure, drip some vinegar essence or some other weak acid on that first rock. If it fizzes, then it's probably calcite. If it doesn't fizz, then it's probably quartz.

No fizzies - must be quartz.  Thanks for the hint!

Ramona

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Mark Kmiecik Regular Member

Mark Kmiecik

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If you have a lot of specimens like that one with the huge mix of fossils, you might take one of the "worse" ones and soak it in vinegar overnight. If the matrix is limestone and the fossils are silicified, the acid will react with the matrix and remove it leaving the fossils intact because the acid can't react with silicate material.

 

 

Mark.

 

Fossil hunting is easy -- they don't run away when you shoot at them!

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Ramona Regular Member

Ramona

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On 1/10/2020 at 3:01 PM, Mark Kmiecik said:

If you have a lot of specimens like that one with the huge mix of fossils, you might take one of the "worse" ones and soak it in vinegar overnight. If the matrix is limestone and the fossils are silicified, the acid will react with the matrix and remove it leaving the fossils intact because the acid can't react with silicate material.

I have two specimens bubbling now!  Will post the results!  They aren't bubbling fast, but here and there.  Time will tell!

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Ramona Regular Member

Ramona

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On 1/10/2020 at 3:01 PM, Mark Kmiecik said:

If you have a lot of specimens like that one with the huge mix of fossils, you might take one of the "worse" ones and soak it in vinegar overnight. If the matrix is limestone and the fossils are silicified, the acid will react with the matrix and remove it leaving the fossils intact because the acid can't react with silicate material.

I realized this morning that I was not using ESSENCE of vinegar, so I am going to order some of that to use.  Even with the weakened solution I can see a bit of a difference, though.  This sample is still wet.  I look forward to getting the real stuff in so I can REALLY tell a difference!  Thanks again!

IMG_9196edit.jpg

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Ramona Regular Member

Ramona

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11 minutes ago, Troodon said:

When you are finished make sure its rinsed with water quite well or the acid will continue to react.

OK, will do!  Thanks!  

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