• tychosmoose@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    Apparently this is caused by a wet iron-rich site. The phosphate in bones/teeth/tusks combines with iron to form vivianite. Some varieties of the mineral turn blue when exposed to light. So the fossil finder watches it turn a shade of deep blue. Cool.

    • frunch@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      I love the deep, rich green these possess. Fascinating stuff! It’s been very interesting to learn about 🙂