fossil

Fossilized bivalve shell fragment

Fossil Mollusca, likely a pectinid or related bivalve; exact identification requires the other shell half and locality

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Tan-brown, ribbed shell with visible radial ornamentation and layered calcite; mineralized shell material is mostly calcite (CaCO₃), Mohs hardness about 3, with dull to slightly pearly luster and prominent original growth ribs.

Identified September 4, 2026More fossil →

Explore Fossilized bivalve shell fragment 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: Fossilized bivalve shell fragment
Scientific name: Fossil Mollusca, likely a pectinid or related bivalve; exact identification requires the other shell half and locality
Category: fossil
Identified: September 4, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $2–$20 for a small common fragment; $20–$100+ if complete, unusually preserved, or from a documented fossil 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

A marine bivalve shell was buried in sediment and preserved through compaction and mineral replacement, commonly during the Cenozoic or Mesozoic; the geological age cannot be determined from the image alone.

Uses & applications

Primarily a collectible and educational fossil; it has no significant industrial or jewelry use, though attractive polished fossil shells may be incorporated into ornaments.

Geological facts

Radial ribs and concentric growth lines are characteristic of many scallops and related bivalves. The apparent layered edge reflects shell growth and breakage rather than igneous crystal structure.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its repeated radial ribs, curved shell geometry, and carbonate composition; it should fizz weakly in dilute hydrochloric acid unless heavily mineral-replaced. Common in marine limestone and coastal sedimentary deposits worldwide.