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.
Are we sure it wasn’t just affect by fungus or bacteria?
The blue areas have cracks which show that the tusk only has superficial blue markings
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.
I love the deep, rich green these possess. Fascinating stuff! It’s been very interesting to learn about 🙂