fossil

Cowrie shell

Marine gastropod shell; likely a cowrie (family Cypraeidae), species not identifiable from the image

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Glossy cream-and-tan shell with a narrow toothed aperture, composed mainly of calcium carbonate (aragonite). Mohs hardness is about 3–4; it is not a mineral crystal or a rock.

Identified September 26, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Glossy cream-and-tan shell with a narrow toothed aperture, composed mainly of calcium carbonate (aragonite). Mohs hardness is about 3–4; it is not a mineral crystal or a rock.

Formation & geological history

Formed by a marine snail as layered shell material during its lifetime; the image does not establish whether it is a modern shell or a fossil. Cowries live in tropical and subtropical seas.

Uses & applications

Collected as a natural specimen and used in jewelry and decoration; historically, cowrie shells served as currency in some regions.

Geological facts

The distinctive slit-like opening and toothlike edges are characteristic of cowries.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its domed, smooth shell and toothed underside opening; species identification requires clearer views and scale. Common in warm coastal waters and shell deposits.