fossil

Fossil scallop shell

Fossilized bivalve mollusk; likely Pectinidae or a related pectinid

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Preserved ribbed shell with a pale cream calcite composition, dull to slightly pearly luster, and moderate porosity from weathering. Original shell calcite is Mohs ~3–4; exact identification is limited because much of the specimen is obscured or broken.

Identified August 27, 2026More fossil →

Explore Fossil scallop shell in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

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

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

A marine bivalve shell was buried in seafloor sediment and mineralized during diagenesis, commonly in limestone or calcareous sandstone. Its geological age cannot be determined from the image; pectinid fossils range from the Mesozoic to Recent.

Uses & applications

Primarily a teaching, collecting, and decorative specimen; comparable fossil shells may be used in displays or jewelry. It has little industrial value as an individual specimen.

Geological facts

The prominent radial ribs and fan-like outline are characteristic of scallops and related bivalves. The shell appears partly embedded in a pale carbonate matrix, with possible repair or mineral replacement along fractures.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by the fan shape, strong radial ribs, asymmetric valves, and carbonate matrix; vinegar may weakly fizz on exposed calcite, though testing can damage it. Similar fossils occur worldwide in marine limestone deposits.