Pyritized Ammonite Pair from Ryazan City Region, Russia. (Over 160 Million Years Old!)

Beautiful Pyritized Ammonite Pair from Ryazan City Region, Russia. (Over 160 Million Years Old!)

22mm*14mm*7mm / 0.4 oz

Pyritized ammonites are fossils of extinct marine mollusks called ammonites that have undergone a unique preservation process. These ancient creatures, resembling a coiled shellfish, lived during the Mesozoic Era, roughly 240 to 65 million years ago. When an ammonite dies and sinks to the ocean floor, its shell can become infused with iron sulfide minerals, commonly known as pyrite or fool's gold. Over time, the original shell material dissolves away, leaving behind a stunningly detailed replica of the ammonite's intricate spiral structure, now composed entirely of shimmering, metallic pyrite. These pyritized fossils not only offer insights into the evolutionary history of ammonites but also captivate collectors and scientists alike with their striking appearance and remarkable preservation.

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