sedimentary

Gastropod Fossil (Snail Steinkern)

Class Gastropoda fossil, composed of Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 3 (calcite) to 7 (if silicified); Color: Off-white, tan, or grey; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Structure: Spiral/helical internal cast (steinkern); Specific Gravity: 2.7

Hardness: 3 (calcite) to 7 (if silicified)
Color: Off-white, tan, or grey
Luster: Dull/Earthy

Identified May 18, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3 (calcite) to 7 (if silicified); Color: Off-white, tan, or grey; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Structure: Spiral/helical internal cast (steinkern); Specific Gravity: 2.7

Formation & geological history

Formed through permineralization or recrystallization of a prehistoric sea snail's shell and its internal sediment filling. Most common in limestone layers from the Paleozoic to Cenozoic eras.

Uses & applications

Used primarily for educational purposes, paleontological study, and as decorative items for fossil collectors.

Geological facts

This is likely a 'steinkern', a German word for 'stone heart'. It is an internal mold created when sediment fills the shell and hardens before the outer shell eventually dissolves away.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for a logarithmic spiral or whorl pattern. They are frequently found in road cuts through sedimentary rock, creek beds, or limestone quarries.