What determines color of fossils

[Kimberly RM]

I found this in Glen Rose Texas, Summerville county, in the country in a creek bed. I was wondering what determines how this one is red? I have a lot of red rocks  and fossils .

[Kimberly RM]

[Misha]

I don't see any fossil material here, just a weathered rock.

The red could be caused by the presence of hematite in it.

[Kimberly RM]

[Kimberly RM]

3 minutes ago, Misha said:

I don't see any fossil material here, just a weathered rock.

The red could be caused by the presence of hematite in it.

Thank you!! I really wish I would have taken  a class or 2  in college on this subject..I have never felt as ill prepared, lacking and  inept in my life !!

[caldigger]

As Misha is suggesting, colors are usually determined by what minerals have leached through the soil coloring the item ( permineralization replacement ) or matrix the item is in.  

 

[Kimberly RM]

Thank you 

[JohnJ]

Sometimes an old campfire,  brush fire, or grass fire will turn the limestone, found in your atea, a reddish color.  

[Kimberly RM]

Thank you that does make sense actually. And I sure have a lot of red ones on the property. Must’ve been a fire or I don’t know something here at one time

[JohnJ]

Within recent memory, the drought of 2011 contributed to several fires in that area.