Tribolites were primitive marine invertebrates. They were once abundant on Earth millions of years ago. They died out in a mass extinction some 250 million years ago long before the dinosaurs appeared. They were a very diverse group of hard shelled creatures and their fossils still fascinate today.
Some artisans make jewelry using real tribolite fossils or cast pieces from them. But not everyone can easily get hold of a tribolite fossil so consider
Eskimimi's awesome polymer clay tribolite pendant tutorial instead. It is a wonderfully stylized version of the familiar tribolite shape. Perhaps it is closest to the Proetida order like this one below?
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| Aulacopleura konincki, 14mm, Order Proetida, Czech Republic |
Although there are physical variations, the 3 key features of a tribolite are the cephalon (rounded head), a segmented thorax and the pygidium (tail end).
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| Olenoides erratus from the Mt. Stephen Trilobite Beds,British Columbia, Canada |
Tribolite fossils are exceedingly common and can be found all over the world. Some really lovely specimens come from Morocco because the local artisans are able to prep the fossils beautifully. It is easy to understand why many people try and collect from all nine orders of tribolites. Or make tribolite jewelry! Remember, inspiration can come from anywhere!
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| Walliserops trifurcatus from Djebel Oufaten, Morocco |
Reference Before You Go: ______________________________
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