Chalcedony pseudomorph / fossil after Gastropod (Hippochrenes volgensis)

Item Description

An attractive and showy matrix specimen of these hard to find fossils from around the Volga River in Russia. This piece came to us from a good friend who brought it to Tucson in 2022 and specifically held it back for us. It's one of the better examples we've had to offer in the auctions. This piece is enticing due to the fact that it's not only an attractive pseudomorph and a fossil all in one, but it's also an aesthetic showy display specimen. This piece features two beautifully fossilized spiral Gastropod (Hippochrenes volgensis) shells which have been completely replaced by gemmy smoky colored Chalcedony on matrix. The largest fossil measures 2.7 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 such a supreme example with TWO ON MATRIX. 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.