fossil

Polished carved coral fossil (likely agatized or silicified coral)

Fossilized colonial coral; commonly *Scleractinia* or *Tabulata*, replaced by chalcedony/microcrystalline quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Cream, orange, and reddish mottling with a polished waxy-to-glassy luster; hardness about 6.5–7 if silicified. The visible rounded cellular pattern is characteristic of coral structure, though the carving obscures diagnostic details; cleavage is absent and specific gravity is roughly 2.6.

Identified August 23, 2026More fossil →

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At a glance

Common name: Polished carved coral fossil (likely agatized or silicified coral)
Scientific name: Fossilized colonial coral; commonly *Scleractinia* or *Tabulata*, replaced by chalcedony/microcrystalline quartz
Category: fossil
Identified: August 23, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $10–$50 for a small carved, common-quality piece; $75–$200+ for larger, vividly patterned, well-documented specimens.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Ancient coral colonies were buried in marine carbonate sediments and later mineralized, commonly by silica-rich groundwater. Fossil ages vary widely, often Paleozoic to Cenozoic (roughly 10–500+ million years).

Uses & applications

Used for carved ornaments, cabochons, figurines, and collectors’ specimens; silicified coral is also sold as a lapidary stone. It has little construction use in this small carved form.

Geological facts

Silicified coral preserves coral polyps as tiny chambers or flower-like “eyes,” often in contrasting colors from iron oxides and other impurities. The object appears deliberately carved and polished.

Field identification & locations

Look for repeating polygonal or flower-like corallite cells under magnification and test cautiously for quartz-like hardness; glass should not easily scratch it. Common sources include Indonesia, Madagascar, Florida, and the western United States.