North America, Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Clearwater, Oligocene to Miocene: 38 to 20 million years ago. A breathtaking agatized coral fossil with a druzy crystalline formation across the surface, collected offshore from Clearwater Florida, in the depths of the Gulf of Mexico. The exterior displays a pristine white coral texture, adorned with calcite formations and fossilized clams, offering insights into the ancient ecosystem where it once thrived. Beneath the surface lies an extraordinary composition of chert with striking gray-green and Carolina blue banding, a rare phenomenon! The coral's intricate internal structures were transformed into chalcedony (agate), forming captivating botryoidal and rod shapes. The surface is also covered in dazzling druzy crystals, reminiscent of a starry night sky which glimmers in shifting light! This exceptional specimen stands out from the other Florida river or bay coral fossils we've seen! This coral is best viewed in person to fully appreciate the crystals and colors! Size: 10" L x 6" W x 8" H (25.4 cm x 15.2 cm x 20.3 cm)

Agate, also known as chalcedony, is a variety of cryptocrystalline quartz formed under unique geological conditions. Prehistoric corals and mollusks fossilize as silica-rich groundwater replaces their structures, creating agate formations. Designated as the Florida State Stone in 1979, agatized coral is described as limestone geodes lined with botryoidal agate or quartz crystals, indigenous to Florida. Occurring in various colors, including gray, brown, black, yellow, white, and rarely red, Florida's agatized coral primarily formed in Oligocene-Miocene Hawthorn Group sediments. Fossil corals, simple marine invertebrates, formed massive structures from calcium carbonate, evident in the intricate details of their skeletons. They thrived in warm, clean oceans, akin to modern coral habitats, forming symbiotic relationships with algae for oxygen supply. Whether solitary or colonial, prehistoric corals inhabited diverse marine environments, leaving behind a legacy of wondrous fossilized remnants.

Please note that this piece is a dropship item, meaning that it will be shipping from the consignor's location. All information regarding condition, size, stone identification, and metal content have been provided by the consignor.

Provenance: private Diamond Springs, California, USA collection

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#184098

No repairs or restoration.