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

1 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

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

Field-hunting tip

Look in sedimentary limestone country — that is 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 New York — start trip planning there.

Browse 1 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 1 favosites rockhounding spots across 1 U.S. states — the top states are 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.