What is a Fossil?

Fossils give fascinating prehistorical evidence of past life on our planet.

Usually, fossilization starts once the animal or plant has died. Most animals and plants are eaten or simply recycled back into the earth. The best fossils occur when this process happens rapidly, shortly after death has occurred. Conditions have to be exactly right for a fossil to be produced. Most commonly, this is below water. Decay and deterioration are slowed down because the specimen is covered or entombed in either sediment, muds, sands or volcanic ash or other material, layer upon layer, and over a period that is hard to imagine, usually thousands to millions of years.

Preservation takes place very gradually, as it compacts, it slowly turns to rock. Over time, the plant or animal is replaced by minerals and with chemical changes, leaving an extraordinary replica of the original. In some cases, the pressure and temperature increase, caused by sedimentation, can result in the release of hydrogen and oxygen, leaving a carbon impression of the specimen in sedimentary rock. This process is called carbonization.

Fossils can become preserved in various different ways. For example, wood can become petrified by a process of minerals seeping into the saturated wood, resulting in a gradual process of the wood becoming hard, and resembling stone, often with extraordinary colours. In perimineralization or petrification, after the soft structures have decayed, the hard parts, in particular bones, remain. In some cases, the other minerals completely replace the original specimen. Generally, most fossils represent the hard parts such as bones, shells, leaves, seeds or woody parts of plants.

Fossils can be internal or external moulds of the original specimen. They can also be the some of the original matter, impregnated with chemicals such as silica or calcite.

Fossils can also be indirect, such as in animal foot prints or burrows. These are known as trace fossils.

Statement of Policy

Postage

All orders below £30 will be sent out second class if in UK or Standard International outside UK.

If the order is over £30, It will be sent second class signed or international tracked. Please note, if you prefer a different postage option, such as first class, contact me before paying so that I can let you know the cost and then I can alter the invoice to reflect this. Equally, if you are ordering more than one item, contact me before paying so that I can combine postage and reduce costs for you. If you prefer, I can do a refund for any excess postage paid, via Paypal, after the sale has gone through. To request an invoice from me that combines shipping or is different from in the listing, please use the cart feature in eBay to add items until you are done. Then hit the request total from the seller option. If in doubt, please ask me for help. The buyer is fully responsible for any import taxes or custom duty that you may incur in the Country you live in. We are not responsible for any custom duty or import tax. I try to use recycled packing materials as far as possible, both to keep costs down and to help the environment.

Once you have left feedback and I know you are happy with the sale, I will then leave feedback too. I strive to offer a good service and to keep my good feedback record. To this end, I will do my best to respond as quickly as I can to any queries or concerns. I am not infallible, but I can guarantee that if you are not happy with anything, I will my absolute best to sort it for you. Please contact me first if you are in any way unhappy with your purchase, before leaving negative feedback, so that I can have a chance to put things right for you. Thank you.

Returns policy

The item described is guaranteed to be genuine to the best of my knowledge. If you are in doubt as to the authenticity of the piece then a full refund of the purchase price will be made once the piece is received back with me

If your item arrives damaged or faulty, you can return it for a refund and request cost for return postage. If you’ve changed your mind or just do not like the product and want to send it back, you will need to request a return and pay for the return postage yourself.

All Parcels Will Be Sent Via Royal Mail Second Class Unless Another Service Is Selected And Will Be Dispatched Within 1 Working Day. (Please Note: On Occasion We May Send Your Item Via A Different Tracked Service With Another Courier).

All Overseas Orders Are Sent Using Royal Mail Track And Signed Or A Similar Service From Another Courier. Price Is For Postage Only And Does Not Include Any Import Or Customs Fees, These Remain The Sole Responsibility Of The Buyer. We are not responsible for any custom duty or import tax.

If any item is defective upon receipt, please contact us for the return address, return is accepted within 15 days after the buyer receiving the item. Returned item has to be in its original condition. Buyer is responsible for return shipping costs. After receiving the return we will make a replacement depends on our available stock, if not available, a refund will be issued.

• Condition: New
• Sub-Type: Chondrites
• Type: Meterorites/ Tektites
• Shape: Natural
• Country/Region of Manufacture: China
• Finish: Polished
• Modified Item: No

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