fossil

Coral Fossil (Favosites)

Favosites (order Tabulata)

Hardness: 3-4 (Mohs scale), Color: Creamy white to light gray, Luster: Dull/Waxy, Structure: Hexagonal or polygonal honeycomb pattern, Specific Gravity: 2.7

Identified July 19, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3-4 (Mohs scale), Color: Creamy white to light gray, Luster: Dull/Waxy, Structure: Hexagonal or polygonal honeycomb pattern, Specific Gravity: 2.7

Formation & geological history

Formed in warm, shallow marine environments during the Silurian and Devonian periods (approx. 350-430 million years ago) through the mineralization of coral colonies.

Uses & applications

Scientific study, educational displays, lapidary use for jewelry (occasionally polished into beads or cabs), and amateur fossil collecting.

Geological facts

Commonly known as 'Honeycomb Coral' due to the closely packed chambers where individual coral polyps once lived. They were reef builders that became extinct during the Permian era.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for a consistent honeycomb or cell-like pattern on the surface. Commonly found in limestone outcrops in the Great Lakes region (USA/Canada) and Northern Europe.