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Quartz Snail (Gastropod) Fossil?


turtlefoot

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It's been a while since I have been on here.  Life got in the way of me looking for rocks and fossils.  The property that I have access to hunt in has several seasonal creeks on it.  This was found in a dry creek bed.  I didn't think a lot about it as these type of "snail" fossils are the main thing that I find.  When looking at it closer at home, I realized that the fossil itself seems to be replaced with quartz?  The surface has been worn down by weathering and by the creek flow during the spring.  I am not sure that the images convey the crystal properly, but the clear, crystal structure is there.  Is this a common thing in fossils?  It is the first that I have found.  It was found outside of Willow Springs, Howell County, Missouri, USA and measures 21mm.  There is a second "snail" still encased in the rock.  The part that is visible is also quartz.

Quartz001.jpg

Quartz002r.jpg

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I might suggest that you first do some simple tests to determine whether this is quartz or possibly calcite crystalization.  First take a pocket knife and see if it will scratch the crystal surface.  Second, place a couple of drops of vinegar on the area that you tried to scratch.  Does the vinegar fizz?  Finally, wash off the vinegar, rinse well in flowing faucet water, dry the specimen off and report what you saw.

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25 minutes ago, grandpa said:

I might suggest that you first do some simple tests to determine whether this is quartz or possibly calcite crystalization.  First take a pocket knife and see if it will scratch the crystal surface.  Second, place a couple of drops of vinegar on the area that you tried to scratch.  Does the vinegar fizz?  Finally, wash off the vinegar, rinse well in flowing faucet water, dry the specimen off and report what you saw.

I did as you asked.  I didn't see any real scratch on the crystal surface after attempting to scratch it with my knife (440 stainless).  Vinegar acted as water did.  No fizzing at all.

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I think chalcedony might be a more accurate description of the material. Don't take it as a final word though. I'm not a geologist.

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In Texas we do find marine fossils with crystals,  They are not super common, but not rare either. This is my favorite one ive found. A gastropod like yours, but a different species (Turritella, possibly) LIke you said, photos do not do it justice....cannot see the amazing sparkle it has.

Gastro Turritella.JPG

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On 12/16/2019 at 3:21 AM, Rockwood said:

I think chalcedony might be a more accurate description of the material. Don't take it as a final word though. I'm not a geologist.

Chalcedony might well be more accurate.  I did something I shouldn't and that is assumed since it was a clear crystal it was quartz.  I find quartz crystals literally every time I go out and look for fossils.  

 

On 12/16/2019 at 9:00 AM, JamieLynn said:

In Texas we do find marine fossils with crystals,  They are not super common, but not rare either. This is my favorite one ive found. A gastropod like yours, but a different species (Turritella, possibly) LIke you said, photos do not do it justice....cannot see the amazing sparkle it has.

Gastro Turritella.JPG

 

That is a beautiful piece.  I hope to find something similar someday at some point (crystal or not).

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  • 2 weeks later...
2 hours ago, b. bartron said:

I find them in the lower Ordovician in south central Missouri. 

20190901_183957.jpg

 

That's a beautiful piece.  I love it.  I have found a couple more here in Howell County, MO since this posting.  Nothing as near as nice as yours though.

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8 hours ago, turtlefoot said:

 

That's a beautiful piece.  I love it.  I have found a couple more here in Howell County, MO since this posting.  Nothing as near as nice as yours though.

This is lecanospira. A mold. Found in dent county. Lower Ordovician. I've also found various other shells cast with quartz. Personally one of my favorite to find. Let me know if you're interested and I'll take a few other pictures.  I do believe I've posted a couple on here recently. But im not sure. Also if you was the one asking about information theres a Missouri fossil hunting group with lots of downloadable pdfs on fb. Ive found them to be great reads. 

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I would assume its quartz. Lots of druzy and lace in the dolomite beds around here. Im no specialist though. Ive only just begun to learn and understand the geology around here.

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4 hours ago, b. bartron said:

This is lecanospira. A mold. Found in dent county. Lower Ordovician. I've also found various other shells cast with quartz. Personally one of my favorite to find. Let me know if you're interested and I'll take a few other pictures.  I do believe I've posted a couple on here recently. But im not sure. Also if you was the one asking about information theres a Missouri fossil hunting group with lots of downloadable pdfs on fb. Ive found them to be great reads. 

 

PLEASE post some more images.  I would love to see them.  If you could, please tell me the name of the Missouri fossil hunting group.  Do you know if they have a regular website as or public email address?  I am one of the small minority of people that don't use fb.

 

3 hours ago, b. bartron said:

I would assume its quartz. Lots of druzy and lace in the dolomite beds around here. Im no specialist though. Ive only just begun to learn and understand the geology around here.

 

I find quite a bit of druzy in my back yard along with the property that I find most of my fossils.  I also find bigger pieces of quartz.  I am pretty sure that I am sitting on a vein somewhere.  I am just not sure where though.  Once again, I would love to see some more pics.

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19 hours ago, turtlefoot said:

 

PLEASE post some more images.  I would love to see them.  If you could, please tell me the name of the Missouri fossil hunting group.  Do you know if they have a regular website as or public email address?  I am one of the small minority of people that don't use fb.

 

 

I find quite a bit of druzy in my back yard along with the property that I find most of my fossils.  I also find bigger pieces of quartz.  I am pretty sure that I am sitting on a vein somewhere.  I am just not sure where though.  Once again, I would love to see some more pics.

The pdfs are from sources online. I'll pm you and we'll figure it out so you can download and read the ones for your areas of interest. And I'll post pics when i get time.

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  • 7 months later...

I've found some of these as well in southeast missouri 

 

 

20200829_105229.jpg

Edited by John Corbet
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