Ammonite

Ammonites are extinct cephalopods related to modern squids and octopuses. They had spiral shells, tentacles, and would have looked similar to the modern nautilus, though they are not closely related. Ammonites first appeared in the fossil record about 240 million years ago. They barely survived several major extinction events before finally disappearing 65 million years ago, at the end of the Cretaceous. Ammonite shells traditionally preserve well and are relatively common fossils. We have a large selection of ammonite fossils for sale that come from every corner of the world. Aside from the exciting natural history aspect, ammonite fossils make supremely aesthetic gifts and decorations.

Goniatite

These are fossil goniatites, a close relative of ammonites that have been polished and the surrounding rock shaped into a circle. These Goniatites are Devonian in age or approximately 380 million years old and are quarried from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. The stones range from 2 1/2 to 3 1/2″ wide with most being in the middle of that size range.

The photos are representative of the pieces you will receive though there is a lot of variation in exact size and shape.

Goniatites possessed a shell divided internally into chambers filled with gas for buoyancy. An open chamber at the front of the shell provided living space for the animal. The general morphology and habit of goniatites was probably similar to that of their later relatives the ammonites: they swam freely and possessed heads with two well developed eyes and arms.