Jurassic Parts In The Cyber Age


As we enter the new millennium our planet's primeval past still manages to exert a powerful hold over us. Fossil collectors realise something of this - their quarry is the detritus of previous eras - now magically transformed into timeless objects of awe and wonder. Excellent fossil resources - both commercial and educational - can be found on the Internet and it is a curious feeling downloading images of these long dead creatures and plants before securing their remains via high-tech electronic credit card transfer. Collecting fossils is a wonderful hobby - both educational and inspirational - with prices genuinely ranging from $10 to $10,000 and beyond. A complete dinosaur fossil from the Jurassic Age, for example, recently retailed online for $12,500. The remains were those of a 27" Psittacosaurus excavated in China, preserved in excellent condition and only subject to minor restoration. From the same dealer you could also buy a wonderful fossilised shark tooth from Eocene era - a magnificent specimen from the phosphate beds of Morocco for just $10!

Interest in fossil collecting is rising at a rapid rate - due in part to increased exposure via the global reach of the Internet. Serious enthusiasts now compete with museums and institutions at top end of the market for 'textbook' or 'one of a kind' specimens. The current retail price for a Bothriolepis Canadensis - a 350 million year old air-breathing fish from the late Devonian Age! - is in the region of $2000 - $2500. For slightly less money you could own a Triassic period Keichousaurus Hui skeleton excavated from the fossil beds of China - or a wonderful fossil stingray from the Eocene era. Fossils are available to suit all budgets however - a nice winged insect such as a large dragonfly should cost less than $1000 - a good example of fossilised leaves would normally retail at less than $500. Children's budgets should not be too overstretched by current market prices for Jurassic era starfish - about $50 - or small insects - bugs and flies can usually be found for under $30. Insects preserved in amber make particularly nice gifts and generally retail for between $20 - $50.

Collecting Amber


Amber is very attractive and is increasingly popular with collectors. Many decorative items can be made from amber – including ornamental carved objects, rosaries, cigarette holders and pipe mouthpieces. Amber is also very versatile when it comes to making jewellery – particularly deeply coloured translucent to transparent amber. As any fossil dealer will tell you, amber is actually fossilised tree resin that has solidified after a period of burial underground. It can be found throughout the world but is most prevalent along the sandy shores of the Baltic Sea in Europe, lying in deposits up to 60 million years old. In some cases fossilised plants and insects can be found entombed within the amber and these are highly prized by many collectors. Amber comes in a variety of shapes – mostly irregular but also rod-shaped and drop-like. Amber’s predominant colour is actually yellow, with shades of orange, brown and even crimson – this red-shaded amber (so-called ‘blood’ amber) is highly prized as gem material. Opaque milky white amber can also occur and is classed by dealers as ‘bone’ amber.

Prices for amber pieces are very reasonable when one considers the stunning appearance of natural amber. Amber ‘inclusions’ make wonderful gifts and are very popular with collectors. For under $100 the amber collector should be able to buy a nice example displaying long legged flies, fungus gnats, spiders, beetle larvae, wasps, aphids, termites, moths, cicadas or even cockroaches! Less common amber inclusions obviously command a higher price on the collector’s market. Expect to pay up to $500 for more exclusive examples such as pseudoscorpions, butterflies (surprisingly rare), good condition millipedes, and body parts from animals other than insects (mammal hair for example). Be sure to buy amber from a respected dealer as imitation pieces are not uncommon. Also look out for amber inclusions that appear just too good to be true. Unscrupulous persons have been known to introduce modern insects and small animals into amber by drilling a hole and then refilling it with modern resin. Be particularly wary of flawless examples, such as butterflies with perfectly extended wingspans.