Rock Identifier
Fossilized gastropod shell (Fossil Gastropoda; shell originally composed chiefly of calcium carbonate (aragonite or calcite)) — fossil
fossil

Fossilized gastropod shell

Fossil Gastropoda; shell originally composed chiefly of calcium carbonate (aragonite or calcite)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Pale cream, irregular coiled shell with visible whorls and growth lines; hardness and crystal structure are not reliably measurable from the image because fossilization may replace or alter the shell. The specimen appears small and possibly worn or mineral-infilled.

Identified More fossil →
Explore Fossilized gastropod shell in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

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

App StoreGoogle Play

Physical properties

Pale cream, irregular coiled shell with visible whorls and growth lines; hardness and crystal structure are not reliably measurable from the image because fossilization may replace or alter the shell. The specimen appears small and possibly worn or mineral-infilled.

Formation & geological history

Formed as a marine snail shell, later buried in sediment and preserved by mineralization; its age and exact depositional environment cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Primarily a teaching, display, or collecting specimen; fossil gastropods can also help identify the age and environment of sedimentary deposits.

Geological facts

Gastropod fossils occur in sedimentary rocks ranging from Cambrian deposits to recent formations; shell shape varies widely among species.

Field identification & locations

The apparent spiral whorls and shell-like growth contours suggest a gastropod fossil. Identification to species or geological age requires locality information and examination of the shell surface and interior.

More like this

Other fossil specimens

Probable fossil-bearing rock or mineral concretion (Unidentified carbonate-rich concretion with a possible fossil inclusion) — fossil

Probable fossil-bearing rock or mineral concretion

Unidentified carbonate-rich concretion with a possible fossil inclusion

fossil
Likely fossil oyster shell (Fossilized bivalve shell; exact species cannot be identified from the image) — fossil

Likely fossil oyster shell

Fossilized bivalve shell; exact species cannot be identified from the image

fossil
Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix (Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea) — fossil

Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix

Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea

fossil
Fossiliferous limestone (likely a crinoidal or shell-fragment limestone) (Bioclastic limestone, composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)) — sedimentary

Fossiliferous limestone (likely a crinoidal or shell-fragment limestone)

Bioclastic limestone, composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)

sedimentary
Fossil oyster shell (Oyster (family Ostreidae); shell composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)) — fossil

Fossil oyster shell

Oyster (family Ostreidae); shell composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)

fossil
Weathered fossil bone fragment (identification uncertain) (Fossilized bone; exact taxon and mineral composition cannot be determined from the image) — fossil

Weathered fossil bone fragment (identification uncertain)

Fossilized bone; exact taxon and mineral composition cannot be determined from the image

fossil