Favosites is a genus of extinct tabulate coral characterized by tightly packed polygonal corallites that resemble a honeycomb structure. Collectors typically find these fossils in Paleozoic limestone deposits, often silicified, making them excellent candidates for lapidary work and polishing.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Dull

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

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Favosites

Also: Honeycomb Coral

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Dull
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

Is this favosites?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch favosites with a known reference. Favosites sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Favosites leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Favosites typically shows a dull luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: gray, tan, brown, white, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Typical habit: colonial coral heads.

Often found alongside favosites

Minerals reported to co-occur with favosites. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
Colors: Gray Tan Brown White Black
Streak: White
Luster: Dull
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal habit: Colonial Coral Heads
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Collector, Lapidary, Decorative
Host rock: Sedimentary Limestone
Typical price: $5-50 for small specimens, $100+ for large polished displays

Where rockhounds find favosites

2 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Michigan, USA
Ontario, Canada
Gotland, Sweden
Eifel, Germany

Field-hunting tip

Look in sedimentary limestone country, the host setting where favosites typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, dolomite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a colonial coral heads habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Michigan, New York. Start trip planning there.

Browse 2 U.S. spots for favosites →

Common questions

How do you identify favosites?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. It typically shows a dull luster. The streak is white. Common colors include gray, tan, brown, white.

Where is favosites found?+

Notable localities include Michigan, USA; Ontario, Canada; Gotland, Sweden; Eifel, Germany.

Can I find favosites in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 2 favosites rockhounding spots across 2 U.S. states. The top states are Michigan, New York.

How much is favosites worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $5-50 for small specimens, $100+ for large polished displays. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What minerals are found with favosites?+

Favosites commonly co-occurs with Calcite, Dolomite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does favosites form in?+

Favosites typically forms in sedimentary limestone. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is favosites used for?+

Favosites is used in collector, lapidary, decorative.

Find favosites on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.