Chalcedony pseudomorph / fossil after Gastropod (Hippochrenes volgensis)

Item Description

We picked up this piece from one of our good friends in Russia, who has access to the material. We're told that there are not many of these available now, as the collecting area has been largely picked over. With that said, it's one of the better examples we've had to offer. This small cabinet sized specimen is enticing due to the fact that it's an unusual pseudomorph and a fossil all in one. This piece features a few beautifully fossilized spiral Gastropod (Hippochrenes volgensis) shells which have been completely replaced by gemmy smoky colored Chalcedony on matrix. The largest measures 2.8 cm long. The shells are complete, and have been exposed by sandblasting away the surrounding host rock. It's incredibly difficult to find ONE well-preserved fossil shell of this material, let alone multiple ON MATRIX like this. A rare opportunity to pickup a fine quality, eye-catching and desirable pseudomorph / fossil specimen. For reference, the species Hippochrenes volgensis has only been known for a little over 30 years, as it was first described by Moroz & Yermokhina in 1991.