Recrystallization
Fragment of a discussion from Talk:Taphonomy
Recrystallization is merely a reorganization of the original material that is being fossilized. It is not being molecularly changed, just reshaped and (often) resized (enlarged). This helps to make the fossil it will become to be sturdier and last throughout the years. Recrystallization only occurs when there are hard parts that are being fossilized (such as bones from vertebrates or shells from bivalves).
http://i55.tinypic.com/evcjgg.jpg
"Recrystallized Trilobite." Ocean Fossils. Web. 2 Mar 2011. <http://www.cnsm.csulb.edu/departments/geology/people/bperry/Sedimentary%20Rocks%20Tour/fossils.htm>.
