Rock Identifier
Carved shell pendant or charm (Likely nacre (mother-of-pearl), composed chiefly of aragonite (CaCO₃) in an organic matrix) — fossil
fossil

Carved shell pendant or charm

Likely nacre (mother-of-pearl), composed chiefly of aragonite (CaCO₃) in an organic matrix

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Creamy white, translucent, pearly luster, with carved relief; aragonite has Mohs hardness 3.5–4 and orthorhombic crystal structure. A metal loop is attached; the image does not show enough detail to confirm the shell source.

Identified More fossil →
Explore Carved shell pendant or charm in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

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

App StoreGoogle Play

Physical properties

Creamy white, translucent, pearly luster, with carved relief; aragonite has Mohs hardness 3.5–4 and orthorhombic crystal structure. A metal loop is attached; the image does not show enough detail to confirm the shell source.

Formation & geological history

Nacre forms inside certain mollusk shells as thin aragonite layers secreted by the animal; it is biological rather than a rock formed by geological processes.

Uses & applications

Carved nacre is used for jewelry, buttons, inlay, and decorative objects.

Geological facts

Mother-of-pearl’s iridescence comes from light interacting with its microscopic layered structure.

Field identification & locations

Look for a pearly sheen and fine layered growth structure; common sources include marine mollusk shells. The carved, mounted appearance suggests a wearable ornament rather than a natural specimen.

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

Rounded sedimentary pebble

Likely micritic limestone or calcareous sandstone

sedimentary