fossil
Fossilized Solitary Rugose Coral (Horn Coral)
Rugosa (Order Rugosa)
Hardness: 3 (if calcite) to 7 (if silicified); Color: Tan and white; Luster: Dull to earthy; Structure: Circular or semi-circular septal patterns (radiating lines) visible in cross-section.
- Hardness
- 3 (if calcite) to 7 (if silicified)
- Color
- Tan and white
- Luster
- Dull to earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 (if calcite) to 7 (if silicified); Color: Tan and white; Luster: Dull to earthy; Structure: Circular or semi-circular septal patterns (radiating lines) visible in cross-section.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the fossilization of marine coral in warm, shallow seas. These date primarily from the Ordovician to the Permian periods (approx. 485 to 251 million years ago).
Uses & applications
Primarily used for educational study, amateur fossil collecting, and occasionally as decorative items or in jewelry when polished.
Geological facts
Rugose corals are called 'horn corals' because of their characteristic horn-like shape. They were largely wiped out during the Great Permian Extinction, making them an important marker for ancient marine environments.
Field identification & locations
Identifiable by the radiating lines (septa) inside the circular openings or 'cups' (calices). They are commonly found in limestone and shale deposits worldwide.
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