This specimen is a fossilized ammonite measuring about 3 inches, featuring natural iridescence across its shell. Ammonites were marine mollusks that thrived during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras and went extinct around 66 million years ago. The iridescence, caused by mineralized shell layers, reflects light in a range of colors, giving the fossil a striking, rainbow-like appearance.
Details:
- Fossil: Ammonite (extinct marine cephalopod)
- Size: Approximately 3 inches in diameter
- Appearance: Spiral shell with natural rainbow iridescence, polished surface to enhance color and detail
- Formation: Ammonites lived in ancient oceans; their shells were buried in sediment and mineralized over millions of years, creating the preserved and iridescent fossil
- Physical Properties: Hard mineralized shell; retains natural spiral structure
- Educational Value: Demonstrates cephalopod anatomy, fossilization processes, and mineralization that can produce iridescence
This iridescent ammonite offers both scientific interest and aesthetic appeal, making it an excellent display piece for collectors and educational settings alike.
