sedimentary
Gastropod Fossil (Snail Steinkern)
Class Gastropoda fossil, composed of Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
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
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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.
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