fossil

Seashell (Cone Snail Shell)

Conus sp. (Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3)

Hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to dull luster, orthorhombic crystal system (aragonite) or trigonal (calcite), specific gravity around 2.7 to 2.9, often displaying intricate brown and white patterns.

Identified July 31, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through biomineralization by marine gastropods in tropical and subtropical marine environments, accumulating in shallow coastal sedimentary deposits over geological to recent times.

Uses & applications

Collected as ornamental shells, used in shellcraft, jewelry, and studied in paleontological or marine biodiversity contexts.

Geological facts

Many shells like this are composed of aragonite, a metastable polymorph of calcium carbonate that can recrystallize into calcite over long periods of fossilization.

Field identification & locations

Found worldwide along tropical and temperate coastlines and in marine fossil-bearing sedimentary strata. Identified by its organic spiral structure and calcareous composition.

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Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix

Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea

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Sedimentary Outcrop (Sandstone/Shale)

Sedimentary bedrock formation (variable composition)

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Chert with Fossil Brachiopod

Microcrystalline Quartz (SiO2) with Calcitic Brachiopod inclusion

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Fossilized Crinoid Stem in Limestone

Crinoidea (Class) in Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) matrix

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Fossiliferous Limestone

Limestone with embedded fossil cross-section

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Fossiliferous Limestone with Crinoid stems

Limestone (CaCO3) containing Crinoidea fossils

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