This gorgeous Hand-Polished Agatized Gastropod Fossil from India measuring 4.8cm long is a rare fossil find of the highest quality, and is approximately 67 million years old, dating back to the Upper Cretaceous Period.
This Agatized Gastropod Fossil (or Silicified Gastropod Fossil) displays a beautiful Agatized Fossil Shell formed from colourful Chalcedony Replacements in rich white, orange, and brown hues.
The colours and sleek, smooth polish of the Chalcedony Replaced Gastropod Fossil Shell are mesmerising.
A striking Shell Fossil and Steinkern Fossil, this Agatized Fossil has been carefully polished by hand to preserve its intricately patterned coiled shell.
What Is A Gastropod Fossil?
Gastropod Fossils are the fossilised shell remains of ancient molluscs of the Gastropod class that lived millions of years ago.
Gastropod Fossils/ Gastropods are commonly referred to as Snail Fossils.
This Agatized Gastropod Fossil is the preserved shell fossil of a Gastropod of the Lymnaea Genus that lived 67 million years ago in India, making it a Cretaceous Period Fossil.
What Are Gastropods And Molluscs?
A Gastropod is a type of Mollusc: in fact the Gastropod Group is the largest class of molluscs.
Types of Gastropods include garden snails, marine snails such as periwinkles and limpets, and slugs.
Lymnaea Genus Gastropods, such as this Lymnaea Gastropod Agatized Fossil, are freshwater snails.
Other types of mollusc fossils include:
What Are Agatized Gastropod Fossils?
Agatized Gastropod Fossils, otherwise known as Silicified Gastropod Fossils, are Gastropod Fossils whose fossil shells are formed from Chalcedony mineral replacements.
Chalcedony mineral replacements include Agate mineral replacements and other Quartz mineral replacements.
These Chalcedony minerals replaced the original natural shell of the Gastropod over millions of years of fossilisation and silicification processes.
Chalcedony replaced fossils can also sometimes be Steinkern Fossils, which this Agatized Gastropod Fossil is an example of.
What Are Steinkern Fossils?
Steinkern Fossils are fossils that form when mineral-rich mud and sediment fills the hollow cavities of an empty natural shell, for example the empty internal cavities of a Gastropod natural shell, and over time transforms into a stony mineral mass.
This stony mass of minerals hardens in the shape of the internal cavities it filled, and acts as a cast, mould, or "Steinkern" of the inner shape of the original shell, preserving the shape of the shell even when the natural shell has long since eroded away.
Many Cephalopod Fossils and Bivalve Fossils form as Steinkern Fossils, as well as Gastropod Fossils.
Steinkern Fossils such as Agatized Gastropod Fossils display an array of striking minerals, for example colourful Chalcedony and Agate minerals and crystal cavities full of sparkling drusy Quartz crystals.
How Old Are Gastropod Fossils?
This Agatized Gastropod Fossil is approximately 67 million years old, and dates back to the Upper Cretaceous Period; more specifically, this fossil is from the Maastrichtian Age, the last age of the Cretaceous Period and Mesozoic Era before the end of the dinosaurs.
Where Do Gastropod Fossils Come From?
Gastropod Fossils can be found around the world, some of the most famous being Gastropod fossils from Madagascar.
This stunning Agatized Gastropod Fossil is a fossil from India; more specifically, from Betul in Madhya Pradesh.
Gastropod Fossil Collections
Gastropod Fossils, or Snail Fossils, are famed for their stunningly preserved coiled shells.
Each Agatized Gastropod Fossil displays unique patterns, shapes, and colours, and are a fascinating vestige of fossil history.
A Gastropod Fossil such as this Agatized Gastropod Fossil is an essential addition to any Fossil Collection, and makes for a great fossil gift, especially as a fossil gift for children.
Buy Agatized Gastropod Fossils Online at Madagascan Direct.
Product Reference Number: 19251
