Diplurus newarki Coelacanth Fossil

This fish fossil is a Diplurus newarki. It was collected by G.L. Jepsen in 1946 at Firestone Library excavation in Princeton, New Jersey, USA. This fish lived in fresh water lakes of what would be eastern North America today. It is related larger coelacanths (e.g. Axelrodichthys) found in Cretaceous Period. Fossil dates about 210 million years ago (Late Triassic Period).

The fossil on display (2018) at American Museum of Natural History, New York City, USA.

Model of what fish might of looked like. Created by Louis Ferraglio (in 1953?).

Belemnitella americana - New Jersey

The Belemnitella americana fossil found in the Navesink Formation (Monmouth Group) of Sewell New Jersey.  When alive these belemnites swam around in the Cretaceous Period.  These fossils remind one of pointed bullet and have a nice amber color.  The part of the creature that fossilized is called a guard or rostrum. Learn more about this fossil at the njfossils.net web site: CLICK HERE.

Thanks to Phil and Stan for these fossils.  A couple of fossil nomads with a zest for adventure and good times.

This last picture is of the fossils taken in longwave ultraviolet (UV) light.  The fossil tips and a thin line running the length of the fossil fluoresce a yellow color.  A discussion of the fluorescent properties of this fossil are discussed at the Rockhounds forum: CLICK HERE

Fluorescent Mineral Video

UPDATE (November 2013): The web sites seems to have changed the location of the embedded video here is a link if above does not work: http://sciencefriday.com/blogs/10/24/2011/mineral-madness.html
Science Friday on NPR posted a very informative yet brief video about the minerals at Franklin, New Jersey. When it comes to shortwave ultraviolet fluorescent minerals, it is hard to top those found in Franklin/Sterling Hill, New Jersey. It is fun taking pictures of these minerals when lit up with ultraviolet light.

CLICK HERE for link to The Franklin Mineral Museum

CLICK HERE for link to The Sterling Hill Mining Museum

Here are some more pictures of a friend's mineral from that area. It is for sale if any one is interested.  Note you need a shortwave ultraviolet light to view the fluorescent colors.