sedimentary

Fossiliferous limestone

Calcitic limestone; chiefly calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), commonly calcite with shell fragments

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Light cream to tan, dull to weakly crystalline, with visible fossil or shell textures and irregular fracture; calcite hardness is Mohs 3, and it effervesces strongly with dilute hydrochloric acid. Cleavage is rhombohedral in crystalline areas; specific gravity is about 2.7.

Identified August 29, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

A marine sedimentary rock formed when carbonate mud and skeletal debris accumulated on ancient seafloors, compacted, and cemented. Its exact age cannot be determined from the photograph and may range from Paleozoic to Cenozoic.

Uses & applications

Used as crushed stone, cement and lime feedstock, building stone, aggregate, and occasionally as a decorative or educational fossil specimen; generally unsuitable for fine jewelry.

Geological facts

The rounded cavities and pale shell-like inclusions may represent dissolved or partially preserved marine fossils, though the image is not detailed enough for species identification.

Field identification & locations

Common in marine sedimentary basins worldwide, including Florida, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. Confirm with a vinegar or dilute-acid fizz test, inspect for fossil structures, and avoid confusing it with dolostone, which reacts weakly.