There’s something pretty incredible about holding a fossil in your hand.
It might be a shark tooth that fell from the mouth of an animal millions of years ago. A piece of ammonite shell that once belonged to a creature swimming through an ancient ocean. Or a fossilized tooth from an animal that disappeared long before humans ever existed.
And suddenly, prehistoric life doesn’t seem quite so distant.
That’s one of the things that makes fossil collecting such a fascinating hobby.
The good news? You don’t need to be a paleontologist—or spend a fortune—to start a fossil collection. There are plenty of affordable specimens that are perfect for someone just getting started. You can also browse our fossil collection to see the different types of fossils available.
In fact, you can start with just one fossil.
Here’s how.
What Is Fossil Collecting?
Fossil collecting is exactly what it sounds like: collecting preserved remains or traces of ancient life.
Fossils can include things like:
- Teeth
- Shells
- Bones
- Plants
- Coral
- Ammonites
- Trilobites
- Petrified wood
- Footprints and other trace fossils
Some fossils are hundreds of millions of years old, while others are comparatively recent on the geological timeline.
That’s part of the fun of collecting.
Instead of simply collecting objects, you’re collecting pieces of Earth’s history.
You Don’t Need to Start With Rare Fossils
One of the biggest misconceptions about fossil collecting is that everything needs to be rare or expensive.
It doesn’t.
Some of the best fossils for beginning collectors are relatively common.
Shark teeth are a perfect example.
Sharks continuously shed and replace their teeth throughout their lives, which means enormous numbers of shark teeth entered ancient marine environments. Under the right conditions, some eventually fossilized.
That makes fossil shark teeth relatively accessible today—and a great place to start.
Other beginner-friendly fossils can include ammonites, orthoceras, fossil coral, small trilobites and pieces of petrified wood. Our fossils for sale include specimens for both new collectors and people looking to add something different to an existing collection.
Your first fossil doesn’t need to belong in a museum.
It just needs to be something you find interesting.
Start With Something That Fascinates You
There isn’t a correct way to build a fossil collection.
Some collectors focus almost entirely on shark teeth.
Others love dinosaurs.
Some collect marine fossils.
Others become interested in fossils from a particular geological period or location.
You might decide to collect:
Shark teeth
Great for beginners because there are many species, sizes and locations to explore.
Marine fossils
Ammonites, shells, coral and other ancient sea life offer enormous variety.
Dinosaur fossils
Teeth and fossil fragments can provide an exciting connection to some of Earth’s most famous prehistoric animals.
Ice Age fossils
Mammoth, mastodon and other Pleistocene animals can take a collection in an entirely different direction.
Fossils from a particular location
Some collectors organize their collections geographically, collecting specimens from different states, countries or fossil formations.
Or you can simply collect whatever catches your attention.
That’s how many collections begin.
Learn What You’re Buying
As your collection grows, one of the most enjoyable parts of the hobby is learning what each fossil actually represents.
When considering a fossil, try to learn as much as possible about:
- What animal or plant it came from
- Approximately how old it is
- Where it was discovered
- What geological period it comes from
- Whether it has been repaired or restored
The information surrounding a fossil can be almost as interesting as the fossil itself.
A shark tooth becomes much more fascinating when you know the species that produced it, approximately when that shark lived and where the tooth was found.
Suddenly, it’s not simply a tooth.
It’s part of a story.
Keep Information With Your Fossils
This is something new collectors sometimes overlook.
Years from now, you may remember exactly where your first few fossils came from.
Once you have dozens—or hundreds—that becomes much harder.
Keep a small label or record with each specimen containing whatever information you know.
At minimum, consider recording:
- Identification: What is it?
- Location: Where was it found?
- Age: Approximately how old is it?
- Geological period: Cretaceous, Miocene, Jurassic, etc.
- Date acquired: When did you add it to your collection?
You can keep this information on small display cards, in a notebook or in a digital spreadsheet.
A well-documented fossil collection is much more useful and interesting than a box filled with unidentified specimens.
Learn the Difference Between Real, Restored and Replica Fossils
As you begin shopping for fossils, you’ll encounter several different terms.
A real fossil is an actual fossilized specimen.
A restored fossil contains genuine fossil material but has had missing or damaged areas repaired or reconstructed.
A composite may combine pieces from multiple specimens.
A replica or cast is a reproduction made from an original specimen.
There isn’t necessarily anything wrong with owning restored fossils or replicas. High-quality replicas can be fantastic for displaying specimens that would otherwise be extremely expensive or unavailable.
The important thing is knowing what you’re purchasing.
Reputable fossil sellers should clearly describe significant restoration or identify an item as a replica.
Be Careful With “Too Good to Be True” Fossils
Like many collectible hobbies, fossil collecting has its share of questionable specimens.
If you see an enormous, supposedly rare fossil being sold for an unbelievably low price, it’s worth doing some research before buying it.
Some fossils are heavily restored.
Others may be composites.
And occasionally something marketed as a fossil isn’t authentic at all.
This becomes increasingly important as you move into more valuable specimens.
For beginners, buying from established fossil dealers and reputable retailers can eliminate much of the uncertainty.
Can You Find Your Own Fossils?
Absolutely—and for many collectors, fossil hunting becomes just as enjoyable as collecting.
Depending on where you live, fossils can sometimes be found along beaches, rivers, road cuts and other exposed geological areas.
But there is an important rule:
Make sure you’re allowed to collect there.
Fossil collecting laws vary depending on the type of fossil and who owns or manages the land.
National parks, for example, generally prohibit removing fossils and other natural objects.
Private property requires permission.
Other public lands can have their own rules about what may be collected and in what quantities.
Always research the rules for a specific location before taking anything home.
Sometimes the correct way to enjoy a fossil is simply to photograph it and leave it where you found it.
How Should You Display a Fossil Collection?
You don’t have to keep your fossils tucked away in a drawer.
Displaying them is half the fun.
Small fossils and shark teeth can look great in:
- Riker display cases
- Shadow boxes
- Glass display cabinets
- Acrylic stands
- Specimen boxes
- Small tabletop displays
Larger fossils can become individual display pieces.
Try including identification cards with your specimens. Knowing that you’re looking at a tooth from an animal that lived millions of years ago makes the display far more interesting.
Just be thoughtful about handling and placement. Some fossils can be fragile, and prolonged exposure to moisture, direct sunlight or frequent handling may not be ideal for certain specimens.
How Much Does It Cost to Start Collecting Fossils?
As much—or as little—as you want.
That’s another reason fossil collecting is such an approachable hobby.
You can start with inexpensive fossil shark teeth or small specimens and slowly build your collection.
As you learn more, you may decide to pursue larger, rarer or more scientifically interesting fossils.
There is no requirement to do that.
A $10 fossil can be every bit as fascinating to its owner as a specimen costing hundreds or thousands of dollars.
The value of a collection isn’t simply what someone paid for it.
It’s what you’ve learned and the stories represented by the pieces you’ve collected.
A Great Hobby for Kids, Too
Fossil collecting can be a fantastic way to introduce children to science and natural history.
Give a child a textbook describing an animal that lived 50 million years ago and they may or may not be interested.
Put a 50-million-year-old fossil in their hand?
Now you’ve got their attention.
Fossils naturally lead to questions.
What animal did this come from?
How old is it?
What did the world look like then?
How did this become a fossil?
Why isn’t that animal alive anymore?
Those questions can open the door to geology, biology, evolution, extinction, ancient ecosystems and the history of our planet.
And sometimes a small fossil purchased on vacation becomes the beginning of a lifelong interest.
Your Collection Doesn’t Need a Plan
Here’s perhaps the most important advice for someone starting a fossil collection:
Don’t overthink it.
You don’t need to decide that you’re going to become a serious fossil collector.
You don’t need a display cabinet.
You don’t need to understand geological periods.
You don’t even need to know exactly what you want to collect.
Find one fossil that makes you stop and say:
“That’s really cool.”
Learn what it is.
Learn how old it is.
Learn where it came from.
Then find another.
Before long, you aren’t simply collecting fossils.
You’re building your own little museum of Earth’s history—one piece at a time.
And it all starts with that first fossil.
Ready to Start Your Fossil Collection?
Whether you’re looking for your very first fossil, a prehistoric shark tooth, or something new to add to an existing collection, explore the Turnmeyers Fossil Collection.
You never know which piece of prehistoric history might start your collection.