fossil
Syringopora Fossil (Chain Coral)
Syringopora (Order Sarcinulata)
Hardness: 3-4 (Calcite-based). Color: dark grey to black matrix with white or cream skeletal patterns. Luster: dull to waxy. Structure: organ-pipe or chain-like tubes connected by horizontal plates.
- Hardness
- 3-4 (Calcite-based)
- Luster
- dull to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3-4 (Calcite-based). Color: dark grey to black matrix with white or cream skeletal patterns. Luster: dull to waxy. Structure: organ-pipe or chain-like tubes connected by horizontal plates.
Formation & geological history
Formed during the Silurian to Carboniferous periods (approx. 300-430 million years ago). These are extinct colonial tabulate corals that grew in warm, shallow marine environments.
Uses & applications
Used primarily for educational study, lapidary arts (cabochons), and as a collector's item due to its unique geometric aesthetic.
Geological facts
Syringopora is often called 'Organ-pipe Coral' because its structure resembles a series of tiny pipes. It is a common find in glacial drift areas, particularly around the Great Lakes.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for the distinctive network of white, interconnected circular or oval patterns on a darker host rock. Often found along shorelines in Michigan, Ohio, and Ontario.
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