11.4" Agatized Fossil Coral Geode - Florida

What we have for you is a spectacular specimen of agatized coral from the Basin Deposits of Florida. This fossil coral is Miocene (211.4-52 million years) in age, and was formed when fine sediments covered shallow coral reefs. As silica rich groundwater seeped through rock that was exposed as sea levels dropped, it replaced the calcium carbonate skeleton of the coral with chalcedony. There are a number of types of fossil coral present, but given that replacement destroys much of the original detail, more specific identification is quite difficult.

On this specimen, the chalcedony formed in stalactitic masses and in small, botryoidal globes. much of this piece retains the original shape of the coral's skeleton, which is exquisitely enhanced by the agatization. The coral has been cut flat on one side for ease of display.