Rock Identifier
Brachiopod Fossil (Phylum Brachiopoda) — fossil
fossil

Brachiopod Fossil

Phylum Brachiopoda

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness varies around 3-4 on Mohs scale depending on mineral replacement; tan to gray color; dull to vitreous luster; symmetrical bivalved shell structure.

Identified More fossil →
Explore Brachiopod Fossil in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App StoreGoogle Play

Physical properties

Hardness varies around 3-4 on Mohs scale depending on mineral replacement; tan to gray color; dull to vitreous luster; symmetrical bivalved shell structure.

Formation & geological history

Formed through permineralization where original shell material is replaced by minerals like silica or calcite over millions of years, typically dating from the Paleozoic era.

Uses & applications

Valued by fossil collectors, used in educational displays, and serves as an important index fossil for relative geological dating.

Geological facts

Brachiopods date back over 500 million years to the Cambrian period and are sometimes called lamp shells due to their resemblance to ancient oil lamps.

Field identification & locations

Identify by distinct symmetrical valves and radial ribs; commonly found in sedimentary limestone and shale formations worldwide.

More like this

Other fossil specimens

Probable fossil-bearing rock or mineral concretion (Unidentified carbonate-rich concretion with a possible fossil inclusion) — fossil

Probable fossil-bearing rock or mineral concretion

Unidentified carbonate-rich concretion with a possible fossil inclusion

fossil
Likely fossil oyster shell (Fossilized bivalve shell; exact species cannot be identified from the image) — fossil

Likely fossil oyster shell

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

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

Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix

Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea

fossil
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
Porous limestone pebble (Calcite-rich limestone (primarily CaCO₃); exact identification is uncertain from the image) — sedimentary

Porous limestone pebble

Calcite-rich limestone (primarily CaCO₃); exact identification is uncertain from the image

sedimentary
Fossil oyster shell (Oyster (family Ostreidae); shell composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)) — fossil

Fossil oyster shell

Oyster (family Ostreidae); shell composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)

fossil