sedimentary
Gastropod Fossil (Snail Steinkern)
Class Gastropoda (internal mold)
Hardness: 3-4 (Calcite/Limestone); Color: Tan, beige, or brown; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Structure: Spiral or helical coiled shape; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture if broken); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.8
- Hardness
- 3-4 (Calcite/Limestone)
- Color
- Tan, beige, or brown
- Luster
- Dull/Earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3-4 (Calcite/Limestone); Color: Tan, beige, or brown; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Structure: Spiral or helical coiled shape; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture if broken); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.8
Formation & geological history
Formed through permineralization or as an internal cast (steinkern) within sedimentary basins. The original shell dissolved after being filled with sediment like mud or silt, which then lithified into rock. These fossils can range from the Cambrian period to the Holocene.
Uses & applications
Used primarily for scientific research to date geological layers, as educational specimens, and as decorative items or collectibles.
Geological facts
This specimen is a 'steinkern,' a German word meaning 'stone heart.' It is not the shell itself, but the hardened sediment that filled the shell before the actual organic material decayed or dissolved away.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic spiral coiled growth and lack of external shell details. Commonly found in limestone beds, riverbanks, and areas with exposed sedimentary strata. Collectors should look for distinct whorls.
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