A silicified conodont is the microscopic, tooth-like fossil of an extinct jawless vertebrate, replaced by silica. Micro-fossil collectors seek them, and a microscope is needed to identify the intricate morphology. Specimens are usually recovered by dissolving the host limestone in weak acid to free the resilient silicified remains.
Is this silicified conodont?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch silicified conodont with a known reference. Silicified Conodont sits at Mohs 7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Silicified Conodont leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Silicified Conodont typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: amber, brown, white, translucent.
- 5Look at form & habitTypical habit: microscopic tooth-like or spine-like structures.
Often confused with
Silicified Conodont vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside silicified conodont
Minerals reported to co-occur with silicified conodont. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 2.65 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic Tooth-like or Spine-like Structures
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Limestone or Shale
Where rockhounds find silicified conodont
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- New York (USA)
- Indiana (USA)
- Germany
- Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary limestone or shale country, the host setting where silicified conodont typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, dolomite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microscopic tooth-like or spine-like structures habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Missouri. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify silicified conodont?+
Where is silicified conodont found?+
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Find silicified conodont on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
