fossil

Fossil gastropod shell

Likely a fossil marine gastropod, possibly a turritellid or auger-like mollusk; exact species requires locality and diagnostic details

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Tan to cream, ribbed/conical shell fossil with a calcite/aragonite original shell commonly replaced or preserved as calcite; Mohs hardness about 3–4, dull to slightly silky luster, low cleavage, specific gravity about 2.6–2.8. The regular spiral ribs and tapered form are characteristic of gastropods.

Identified September 2, 2026More fossil →

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At a glance

Common name: Fossil gastropod shell
Scientific name: Likely a fossil marine gastropod, possibly a turritellid or auger-like mollusk; exact species requires locality and diagnostic details
Category: fossil
Identified: September 2, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$30 for a common small specimen; $40–$150+ if unusually complete, well-preserved, 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 during diagenesis, most commonly in limestone or sandstone. The image alone cannot establish its geological age; similar fossils range from Paleozoic to Cenozoic.

Uses & applications

Primarily a collecting, educational, and decorative specimen; fossil shell material is not normally used for construction or jewelry unless polished or set ornamentally.

Geological facts

Gastropod shells grow incrementally from the apex outward, producing the spiral geometry and repeated ribs visible here. Fossil preservation may retain original shell structure or replace it with calcite, silica, or iron-bearing minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its continuous spiral/conical shell, repeated axial ribs, and possible aperture or apex; distinguish it from a ribbed coral or cast fragment by the coiled growth pattern. Common in marine fossil-bearing limestones worldwide.