Rock Identifier
Fossil scallop shell (Scallop (family Pectinidae); shell composed chiefly of calcite and/or aragonite (CaCO₃)) — fossil
fossil

Fossil scallop shell

Scallop (family Pectinidae); shell composed chiefly of calcite and/or aragonite (CaCO₃)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Fan-shaped shell with radiating ribs and a pink-orange color. Shell minerals have Mohs hardness about 3–4; the original crystal structure may be altered or replaced during fossilization.

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Physical properties

Fan-shaped shell with radiating ribs and a pink-orange color. Shell minerals have Mohs hardness about 3–4; the original crystal structure may be altered or replaced during fossilization.

Formation & geological history

A marine bivalve shell preserved in sediment after burial; its age cannot be determined from the image alone.

Uses & applications

Primarily a collectible or decorative specimen; fossil shells can also help identify ancient marine environments and date sedimentary layers.

Geological facts

Scallops are bivalve mollusks, and their distinctive ribbed shells are commonly preserved in marine sedimentary rocks.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its fan shape, radiating ribs, and hinge area. Scallop fossils occur in marine sedimentary deposits worldwide; value depends on age, completeness, and provenance.

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Bioclastic limestone, composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)

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