Alston Gee Posted November 26, 2023 Share Posted November 26, 2023 I recently discovered an opalized fossil from Lightning Ridge, Australia, available for sale online. The seller asserts that it is either a mammal or primate tooth fossil. As I'm unfamiliar with fossils from the Lightning Ridge region, identifying it is beyond my capability. Can anyone help me in determining whether it is a mammal or primate tooth fossil? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svcgoat Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 I thought lightning ridge was Cretaceous in age. All mammals in that time period were quite small Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alston Gee Posted November 27, 2023 Author Share Posted November 27, 2023 Just now, svcgoat said: I thought lightning ridge was Cretaceous in age. All mammals in that time period were quite small Do you indicate that it should be a gemstone instead of a tooth fossil? Is it possible that it is a herbivore's tooth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alston Gee Posted November 27, 2023 Author Share Posted November 27, 2023 2 minutes ago, svcgoat said: I thought lightning ridge was Cretaceous in age. All mammals in that time period were quite small You are right. The lighting ridge is Cretaceous in age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svcgoat Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 From my understanding usually it's marine specimens that get opalized there not sure if teeth do or not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alston Gee Posted November 27, 2023 Author Share Posted November 27, 2023 1 minute ago, svcgoat said: From my understanding usually it's marine specimens that get opalized there not sure if teeth do or not I've seen opalised theropod teeth at the Australian Museum and various gem shows. The uncertainty lies in whether opalised mammal or primate teeth exist, as I haven't encountered them in the market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svcgoat Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 1 minute ago, Alston Gee said: I've seen opalised theropod teeth at the Australian Museum and various gem shows. The uncertainty lies in whether opalised mammal or primate teeth exist, as I haven't encountered them in the market. It wouldn't be primate as primates weren't around the Cretaceous 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 I would treat any claim of this being a mammal tooth of any kind with extreme skepticism. 2 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 IPFOTM -- MAY - 2024 _________________________________________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alston Gee Posted November 27, 2023 Author Share Posted November 27, 2023 Just now, Fossildude19 said: I would treat any claim of this being a mammal tooth of any kind with extreme skepticism. What’s your thoughts on this? Do you believe it is a tooth fossil or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alston Gee Posted November 27, 2023 Author Share Posted November 27, 2023 3 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said: I would treat any claim of this being a mammal tooth of any kind with extreme skepticism. Opalised Steropodon galmani teeth have been discovered in Lightning Ridge, but I doubt it will be a similar situation to mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alston Gee Posted November 27, 2023 Author Share Posted November 27, 2023 27 minutes ago, svcgoat said: It wouldn't be primate as primates weren't around the Cretaceous Sorry, the seller said that this “tooth fossil” was discovered in the Pleistocene layer of the lighting ridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darktooth Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 I see nothing that leads me to think this is a tooth. 2 I like Trilo-butts and I cannot lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 I have a hard time understanding any mechanisms that would lead enamel to turn into opal. Not saying it can't happen, (because apparently, it does.) just that I don't understand how an opaque mineralized enamel turns into clear, see through opal. I don't think it is a mammal tooth, or any other kind of tooth, to be honest. Sometimes, it seems these amber sellers and collectors come up with some wild interpretations of what they are seeing in these rocks. Unless it has a write up attached from a paleontologist, saying what it is, I would remain skeptical. I see no tooth morphology in this item, but I do see some nails that could use a manicure. Better pictures would be required,... preferable without the fingers in them. They should be able to prop the item up with museum putty or clay. Remember, the rarer the item, the more $$$ can be earned by selling it. Calling it a fossil mammal tooth without any verification can be an easy way to drive up the price. Sometimes, a pretty rock is just a pretty rock. 1 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 IPFOTM -- MAY - 2024 _________________________________________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 Do not pay fossil prices for this piece of beautiful opal. There is nothing toothy about it. Pay opal prices for it. Indeed steropodon is a Cretaceous mammal For your viewing pleasure, I have included a photo, from Wikipedia, of the lower jaw of Steropodon. Not sure if the scale bar is a mm or cm. from LR. As far as I know, there is one specimen. And it is fairly large for a Cret mammal. There maybe others that have made it into the commercial markets, but they would fetch ridiculous prices, I imagine. PS.. I don't think there are Pleistocene opals at LR. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now