Rock Identifier
Fossil Coral (Scleractinia or Anthozoa (Fossilized)) — fossil
fossil

Fossil Coral

Scleractinia or Anthozoa (Fossilized)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 3-4 (if calcified) to 7 (if silicified/agatized); Color: White, cream, or light gray; Luster: Dull to earthy; Structure: Distinctive parallel septa or radiating pore patterns (corallites); Cleavage: None

Hardness
3-4 (if calcified) to 7 (if silicified/agatized)
Color
White, cream, or light gray
Luster
Dull to earthy
Identified More fossil →
Explore Fossil Coral in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

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

App StoreGoogle Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 3-4 (if calcified) to 7 (if silicified/agatized); Color: White, cream, or light gray; Luster: Dull to earthy; Structure: Distinctive parallel septa or radiating pore patterns (corallites); Cleavage: None

Formation & geological history

Formed from the skeletal remains of marine polyps. Over millions of years (often Devonian to Pleistocene), the organic material is replaced by minerals like calcite or silica in marine sedimentary environments.

Uses & applications

Used primarily for educational study, fossil collecting, lapidary work (when agatized), and decorative landscaping.

Geological facts

Fossil corals provide vital data about ancient sea levels and water temperatures. Some specimens, like Petoskey stones, are actually fossilized rugose coral from over 350 million years ago.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for repeating geometric or 'honeycomb' patterns on the surface. Commonly found in areas that were ancient seabeds, such as the Great Lakes region or limestone quarries.

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
Weathered fossil bone fragment (identification uncertain) (Fossilized bone; exact taxon and mineral composition cannot be determined from the image) — fossil

Weathered fossil bone fragment (identification uncertain)

Fossilized bone; exact taxon and mineral composition cannot be determined from the image

fossil