Silicified dinosaur bone occurs when minerals, typically silica, replace biological material during fossilization, creating a durable gem-grade structure. Rockhounders should look for the distinctive 'honeycomb' or cellular structure visible in cross-sections, which helps distinguish it from generic jasper or petrified wood. It is highly valued in lapidary for its unique patterns and color combinations often derived from iron and manganese staining.
Is this silicified dinosaur bone?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch silicified dinosaur bone with a known reference. Silicified Dinosaur Bone sits at Mohs 6.5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Silicified Dinosaur Bone leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Silicified Dinosaur Bone typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, brown, black, yellow, tan, white.
- 5Look at form & habitTypical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Silicified Dinosaur Bone vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside silicified dinosaur bone
Minerals reported to co-occur with silicified dinosaur bone. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 2.5-2.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Formations
- Typical price
- $10-100 for small pieces, $200+ for high-quality display specimens
Where rockhounds find silicified dinosaur bone
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Morrison Formation, USA
- Madagascar
- Patagonia, Argentina
- Alberta, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary formations country — that is the host setting where silicified dinosaur bone typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, chalcedony, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Utah — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify silicified dinosaur bone?+
Where is silicified dinosaur bone found?+
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How much is silicified dinosaur bone worth?+
What rocks look like silicified dinosaur bone?+
What minerals are found with silicified dinosaur bone?+
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Find silicified dinosaur bone on the map
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