sedimentary

Fossilized Favosites (Honeycomb Coral)

Favosites (extinct genus of tabulate coral)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 3-4 (calcite based); Color: White, gray, or tan; Luster: Dull to earthy; Structure: Hexagonal or polygonal tube-like cells (honeycomb pattern); Composition: Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3).

Hardness: 3-4 (calcite based)
Color: White, gray, or tan
Luster: Dull to earthy

Identified June 18, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3-4 (calcite based); Color: White, gray, or tan; Luster: Dull to earthy; Structure: Hexagonal or polygonal tube-like cells (honeycomb pattern); Composition: Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3).

Formation & geological history

Formed in warm, shallow marine environments during the Ordovician to Devonian periods (approx. 450 to 360 million years ago). The specimen is a petrified coral colony that has been replaced by minerals over geological time.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as educational geological specimens, decorative garden stones, or collectibles for fossil enthusiasts.

Geological facts

Favosites are known as 'honeycomb corals' because of the way the individual coral polyps lived in hexagonal tubes. They are excellent index fossils used for dating sedimentary rock layers.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for the distinct 'honeycomb' grid pattern on the surface. These are commonly found in the Great Lakes region of the US (especially Michigan and Ohio) and in limestone quarries globally.