Rock Identifier

fossil

Land Snail Shell

Gastropoda

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Composed primarily of calcium carbonate in the form of aragonite or calcite, with a hardness of 3 to 4 on the Mohs scale. Features a spiral coiled structure with distinctive banded coloration.

Identified November 10, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Composed primarily of calcium carbonate in the form of aragonite or calcite, with a hardness of 3 to 4 on the Mohs scale. Features a spiral coiled structure with distinctive banded coloration.

Formation & geological history

Formed biologically by gastropod mollusks secreting minerals from their mantle to build protective exoskeletons. Can become mineralized into fossils over thousands to millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used in decorative displays, jewelry making, shell crafting, and studied extensively by paleontologists and conchologists.

Geological facts

Mollusk shells are among the most common types of invertebrate fossils found in sedimentary rock layers worldwide.

Field identification & locations

Found globally in terrestrial and marine environments, easily identified by their distinct coiled morphology and calcareous composition.

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