Moganite / Chalcedony pseudomorph after Fossil Snail

Item Description

Starting around 2011 there were some unique and eye-catching fossilized / pseudomorphed snail shells coming out of the Gobi Desert, and in a strange coincidence, there was a very similar discovery in the Sahara Desert. We were able to pick up a handful of these attractive and strange specimens this year in Tucson. This thumbnail sized specimen is exceptionally rare due to the fact that it's an unusual pseudomorph and a fossil all in one. This beautifully fossilized elongated spiral Gastropod (snail) shell has been nearly completely replaced by gemmy rich honey colored Chalecondy with minor spots of white Moganite (a rare SiO2 dimorph), which is sometimes found in association with Chalcedony. My favorite part of the shell itself is that it features many very well-preserved "spines", which is not common in this material. This particular piece is almost complete, though it is contacted on the top. This is forgiveable as these pieces were discovered and gathered by Bedouin travelers, and since they don't have much skill preserving specimens, sometimes pieces are not 100% pristine. A rare opportunity to pickup an attractive and strange pseudomorph / fossil specimen from this remote part of the world.