Fossils
Fossils are created when the remains of once living plants and animals are replaced over time with minerals. This mineralization period takes place over a long period of time, and fossils are typically found in old layers of rock. Some common fossils are ammonites, petrified wood, and fossil corals. Typically, only the hard parts of the organism are preserved; bones, shells, etc. This mineralization process can take place with a variety of minerals, but agates and quartzes are particularly common, and the results can be spectacular.
Since stones containing fossils are very old, they’re often associated with long life. Fossils are often thought to support healing of bones and other hard parts of the body. Fossils also remind us of the vast scale of time, helping us to put our failures and successes into perspective.
Fossilized coral is thought to be a good grounding stone, and useful in coping with or brining about change.