Tabulate coral is a fossilized colonial coral that lived in prehistoric oceans and has been replaced by silica, usually chalcedony. Collectors prize these specimens for the intricate, honeycomb-like patterns visible on the surface, which are best displayed when polished. They are most commonly found in sedimentary limestone formations where ancient reef systems once thrived.
Is this tabulate coral?
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 tabulate coral with a known reference. Tabulate Coral sits at Mohs 5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tabulate Coral leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tabulate Coral typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: tan, brown, gray, white, black.
- 5Look at form & habitTypical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Tabulate Coral vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside tabulate coral
Minerals reported to co-occur with tabulate coral. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-7
- Density
- 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Limestone
- Typical price
- $5-50 for hand-polished specimens, higher for large decorative slabs
Where rockhounds find tabulate coral
Classic worldwide localities
- Florida, USA
- Michigan, USA
- Utah, USA
- Texas, USA
- Indonesia
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary limestone country — that is the host setting where tabulate coral typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, chalcedony in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tabulate coral on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
