Ammonite

This Ammonite specimen is a spiral path to prehistoric waters, now a silent compass through deep time! This is a partially embedded ammonite, showcasing its classic spiral coil. Its strong, sharp, radial ribs create a deep, textured surface that spirals inwards. The central core shows a deep purplish-brown color, moving to lighter tans on the outer ribs. The dark matrix, visible around the edges, confirms its origin within an ironstone nodule. The central structure and overall geometry are incredibly precise. This specimen is a critical example of Dactylioceras commune, a highly significant biostratigraphic marker fossil for the Early Jurassic, specifically the Toarcian age (~180 million years ago). Characterized by its planispiral form and unbranched, sharp ribbing, it is most commonly associated with the Alum Shale and Whitby Mudstone Formations in Yorkshire, UK. This fossil type is crucial for correlating rock strata across Europe and provides immense value for studying ancient marine ecosystems and evolutionary rates within the Ammonitida order. It has scientific value for dating rock layers and evolutionary studies. It is a valuable collector's item due to its beauty and completeness. Cut and polished ammonites are used in jewelry. It is believed to hold ancient earth energy.