fossil

Fossil gastropod shell

Spiral marine gastropod fossil; likely a small ammonite-like or gastropod shell, exact taxon indeterminate

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to pale gray, tightly coiled spiral with visible whorls and a small central aperture; composed mainly of recrystallized calcium carbonate (aragonite or calcite). Mohs hardness about 3–4, generally dull to pearly luster, and curved shell-layer structure rather than mineral cleavage.

Identified August 28, 2026More fossil →

Explore Fossil gastropod shell in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

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

App Store Google Play

At a glance

Common name: Fossil gastropod shell
Scientific name: Spiral marine gastropod fossil; likely a small ammonite-like or gastropod shell, exact taxon indeterminate
Category: fossil
Identified: August 28, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Typically $1–$15 for a small common specimen; $20–$100 or more if exceptionally preserved, identified, or from a documented locality.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed as a marine snail shell, later buried in sediment and mineralized or preserved during diagenesis; age cannot be determined from the image and may range from Paleozoic to Recent fossil-bearing deposits.

Uses & applications

Primarily a natural-history collectible, educational specimen, or craft decoration; not normally used industrially or as jewelry unless polished or set.

Geological facts

The spiral geometry reflects gastropod growth, with each whorl added around the shell’s aperture. Similar small fossils commonly occur in limestone, beach deposits, and unconsolidated marine sediments.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its regular logarithmic coil, whorls, and shell texture; distinguish it from a mineral by its biological growth pattern. Common in coastal sedimentary rocks and fossil beaches worldwide.