Fossilized ferns are preserved remains or impressions of prehistoric plants found primarily in carbonaceous shales and siltstones. Collectors look for high-contrast specimens where the organic carbon film has been preserved against a lighter or different colored sedimentary matrix.

Hardness

3-6

Mohs

Luster

Dull

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

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Fossilized Ferns

Also: Fern fossils, Pteridophyte fossils

Hardness: 3-6
Luster: Dull
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this fossilized ferns?

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 fossilized ferns with a known reference. Fossilized Ferns sits at Mohs 3-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fossilized Ferns leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Fossilized Ferns typically shows a dull luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black, brown, gray, tan.
5
Look at form & habit
Typical habit: imprint.

Often found alongside fossilized ferns

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

All properties

Mohs hardness: 3-6
Density: 2.5-2.7 g/cm³
Colors: Black Brown Gray Tan
Streak: White
Luster: Dull
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal habit: Imprint
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Collector, Educational, Decorative
Host rock: Shale, Siltstone, Coal
Typical price: $5-50 for small specimens, $100+ for display-quality slabs

Where rockhounds find fossilized ferns

1 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Mazon Creek, USA
Joggins, Canada
Czech Republic
Germany
France

Field-hunting tip

Look in shale, siltstone, coal country — that is the host setting where fossilized ferns typically forms. If you start seeing pyrite, siderite, kaolinite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a imprint habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Oregon — start trip planning there.

Browse 1 U.S. spots for fossilized ferns →

Common questions

How do you identify fossilized ferns?+

Mohs hardness is 3-6. It typically shows a dull luster. The streak is white. Common colors include black, brown, gray, tan.

Where is fossilized ferns found?+

Notable localities include Mazon Creek, USA; Joggins, Canada; Czech Republic; Germany; France.

Can I find fossilized ferns in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 1 fossilized ferns rockhounding spots across 1 U.S. states — the top states are Oregon.

How much is fossilized ferns worth?+

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

What minerals are found with fossilized ferns?+

Fossilized Ferns commonly co-occurs with pyrite, siderite, kaolinite, quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does fossilized ferns form in?+

Fossilized Ferns typically forms in shale, siltstone, coal. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is fossilized ferns used for?+

Fossilized Ferns is used in collector, educational, decorative.

Find fossilized ferns on the map

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