fossil

Augite Shell / Turret Snail Fossil (or Recent Seashell)

Gastropoda (Class) / Turritellidae (Family)

Hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale, composed primarily of calcium carbonate in the form of aragonite or calcite. Color ranges from creamy white, tan, to brown banded patterns. Luster is vitreous to pearly, with a spiraling, elongated, high-spired turret-like structure.

Identified July 29, 2026More fossil →

Explore Augite Shell / Turret Snail Fossil (or Recent Seashell) in the encyclopedia →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed biologically by marine gastropod mollusks that secrete calcium carbonate to build their protective shells. Over geological time, these shells can become fossilized in marine sedimentary environments dating from the Cretaceous period to recent epochs.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in shell collecting, marine biology studies, jewelry making, coastal home decor, and as index fossils in geological dating.

Geological facts

Turritella shells are often found in dense fossiliferous limestone layers known as 'Turritella agates' when the shells are replaced by microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony).

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive elongated, screw-like, multi-whorled spiral shape. Common along sandy to muddy marine coastlines worldwide and in marine sedimentary strata.

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Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix

Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea

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Sedimentary Outcrop (Sandstone/Shale)

Sedimentary bedrock formation (variable composition)

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Chert with Fossil Brachiopod

Microcrystalline Quartz (SiO2) with Calcitic Brachiopod inclusion

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Fossilized Crinoid Stem in Limestone

Crinoidea (Class) in Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) matrix

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Fossiliferous Limestone

Limestone with embedded fossil cross-section

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Fossiliferous Limestone with Crinoid stems

Limestone (CaCO3) containing Crinoidea fossils

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