Rock Identifier
Augite Shell / Turret Snail Fossil (or Recent Seashell) (Gastropoda (Class) / Turritellidae (Family)) — fossil
fossil

Augite Shell / Turret Snail Fossil (or Recent Seashell)

Gastropoda (Class) / Turritellidae (Family)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

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.

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Physical properties

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.

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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Probable fossil-bearing rock or mineral concretion

Unidentified carbonate-rich concretion with a possible fossil inclusion

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Likely fossil oyster shell

Fossilized bivalve shell; exact species cannot be identified from the image

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Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix (Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea) — fossil

Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix

Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea

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Fossiliferous limestone (likely a crinoidal or shell-fragment limestone) (Bioclastic limestone, composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)) — sedimentary

Fossiliferous limestone (likely a crinoidal or shell-fragment limestone)

Bioclastic limestone, composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)

sedimentary
Rounded sedimentary pebble (Likely micritic limestone or calcareous sandstone) — sedimentary

Rounded sedimentary pebble

Likely micritic limestone or calcareous sandstone

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Chert with Fossil Brachiopod (Microcrystalline Quartz (SiO2) with Calcitic Brachiopod inclusion) — sedimentary

Chert with Fossil Brachiopod

Microcrystalline Quartz (SiO2) with Calcitic Brachiopod inclusion

sedimentary