|
ENTIRE SHELL IS FILLED WITH LEMON YELLOW CALCITE CRYSTALS AND ITSELF, COMPLETELY TURNED TO GEM GRADE YELLOW CALCITE WHICH GLOWS TRANSLUCENTLY AS SEEN ABOVE AND BELOW WITH LIGHT
BOTTOM OF SHELL HAS ORIGINAL MATRIX LOADED WITH MINIATURE PREHISTORIC CLAM SHELLS STILL ATTACHED
|
|
ULTRA RARE GEM-GRADE YELLOW CALCITE CRYSTAL-FILLED FOSSIL CONCH SHELL Okeechobee County, Florida, USA PLEISTOCENE PERIOD: 1.81 million years - 10,000 years ago Fossils that have been formed or filled with gem grade minerals are amongst the rarest and most beautiful of all. The highly uncommon geological occurrence of a well-preserved fossil formed out of stunning gemstone grade minerals is why these specimens are so passionately coveted by both fossil and mineral fanciers, alike. They make up the rarest of fossils and almost always sell for several thousands if not, tens of thousands of dollars. In south Florida, there is a gravel shell pit that this strange phenomena can be found - crystals in fossils! The occurrence of calcite-lined shells is this site's hallmark but the calcite ranges from a light coffee color to a drab burnt honey hue. Intense yellow gem-grade specimens such as this are not found at the mine but have been found in the same formation of a nearby undisclosed site. A fossil of this quality, completeness with crystals of this clarity and intensity is no less rare than finding fine grade gemstones of any type from any site in the world - actually rarer since this is a perfect crystal specimen AND a fossil. This is a small Busycon species gastropod fossil from the last North American Ice Age Period. The entire shell's internal cavity has been fossilized with the whorl and inner chamber filled with bright lemon yellow gem-grade calcite crystals. Nearly the entire shell has been completely replaced with translucent glowing calcite as seen in the above images. Busycon was a predatory marine whelk that fed mainly on bivalves by attaching itself to its prey with its foot and slowly rasping a hole in the shell of its unfortunate victim. Whelks can move great distances and can go against tidal currents with the use of its powerful foot. This specimen was part of an extremely limited find that was made by the quarry geologist NOT at the working mine but at a location nearby that is not part of the commercial operation. This find was very limited, discovered and collected in the early 1980's and specimens of this nature have never been located since. This color and quality certainly does not occur at the working quarry. Of the few rare examples that have hit the market, prices have exceeded $1000. The color and lack of crystal damage on this beauty easily top those $1000+ examples. This is the only one we will ever offer as it was a rarity unto itself for us to even acquire it. If you want a stunning and rare mineral AND fossil specimen all wrapped up in one, you could hardly find a more affordable and yet beautiful example. Guaranteed NO REPAIR and NO RESTORATION. This beauty is AS FOUND! The deposit that this prize specimen was collected from offers an abundance of well-preserved fossil marine shells. Its coquina matrix dates to the Pleistocene and is part of the 'Nashua Formation' being composed of cemented marine fossils with calcite. AN INCREDIBLE SPECIMEN - BOTH GEM AND FOSSIL - ULTRA RARE SMALL BUT LEGENDARY FIND - GEM-GRADE FOSSIL !!! ONE OF THE BEST OF A HANDFUL OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED BY QUARRY GEOLOGIST! 2.4" in length x 1.5" wide SOLD GA034 Actual Item - One Only |
|
975 |
