Silicified conodonts are the microscopic, tooth-like fossils of an extinct jawless vertebrate that have been replaced by silica. They are highly sought after by micro-fossil collectors and typically require a microscope for proper identification of their intricate morphological features. These specimens are often recovered by dissolving the host limestone in weak acid to reveal the resilient silicified remains.
Is this silicified conodonts?
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 conodonts with a known reference. Silicified Conodonts 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 Conodonts leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Silicified Conodonts 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 Conodonts vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside silicified conodonts
Minerals reported to co-occur with silicified conodonts. 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
- Typical price
- $10-100 per specimen depending on matrix and extraction quality
Where rockhounds find silicified conodonts
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- New York (USA)
- Indiana (USA)
- Germany
- Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary limestone or shale country — that is the host setting where silicified conodonts 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 conodonts?+
Where is silicified conodonts found?+
Can I find silicified conodonts in the United States?+
How much is silicified conodonts worth?+
What rocks look like silicified conodonts?+
What minerals are found with silicified conodonts?+
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Find silicified conodonts on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
