fossil
Bivalve Fossil (Clam)
Class Bivalvia, likely Mercenaria or similar genus
Hardness: 3-4 (Calcite/Aragonite); Color: Tan, white, and grey with concentric growth lines; Luster: Dull to sub-pearly; Structure: Hinged two-part shell
- Hardness
- 3-4 (Calcite/Aragonite)
- Color
- Tan, white, and grey with concentric growth lines
- Luster
- Dull to sub-pearly
Identified More fossil →
Explore Bivalve Fossil (Clam) in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 3-4 (Calcite/Aragonite); Color: Tan, white, and grey with concentric growth lines; Luster: Dull to sub-pearly; Structure: Hinged two-part shell
Formation & geological history
Formed when a marine mollusk died and its shell was buried in sediment. Over time, minerals like calcite or silica replaced the biological material. These can range from the Paleozoic era to the Holocene.
Uses & applications
Educational tools, decorative items, and items for specimen collection. Shells are also precursors to limestone formation.
Geological facts
Bivalves are one of the most successful groups of marine animals and have existed for over 500 million years. They are commonly used by geologists to date sedimentary rock layers.
Field identification & locations
Identified by the symmetrical, fan-like or oval shape with visible growth rings (striae). Commonly found in sedimentary basins, riverbeds, and coastal regions.
More like this
Other fossil specimens
Fossiliferous Limestone
Fossiliferous Calcilutite / Biomicrite
sedimentary
Fossiliferous Limestone
Biogenic Limestone with Brachiopod/Crinoid fragments
sedimentary
Fossilized Crinoid Stem in Limestone
Crinoidea (Class) in Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) matrix
fossil
Fossiliferous Limestone
Limestone with embedded fossil cross-section
sedimentary
Fossiliferous Limestone with Crinoid stems
Limestone (CaCO3) containing Crinoidea fossils
sedimentary
Crinoid Fossil in Limestone
Crinoidea fossil (stalk segments) in Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) matrix
sedimentary