Where can I find Florida Agatized coral?

Agatized coral is found in three main Florida locations: Tampa Bay, the Econfina River, and the Withlacoochee/Suwannee river beds.

What is silicified coral?

Replacement is a fossil preservation style involving the crystal structure and the mineral of an organism’s hard parts being changed. The most common replacement mineral is quartz (silica) (SiO2) – fossils that have been replaced by quartz are said to be silicified (silicification).

Can you collect fossilized coral in Florida?

A rare type of mineralized fossil consisting of a variety of fine-grained crystalline quartz called chalcedony, agatized coral was chosen by the state legislature in 1979 as the Florida state rock. These fossils can be found in several areas in the state, and are highly sought after by collectors.

How long does it take coral to Agatized?

20-30 million years
Agatized Coral, AKA Fossilized Coral, is formed when agate, a form of chalcedony replaces the minerals in coral. This process takes 20-30 million years and is known as pseudomorphic.

Where can I go rockhounding in Florida?

The best places to rockhound in Florida are the beaches along the Gulf Coast, the banks and tributaries of the Suwannee River, mines near the Georgia border, and the many quarries spread across the state. The Gulf Coast beaches of Central Florida are especially popular rockhounding destinations.

Where can I buy Tampa Bay Agatized coral?

BALLAST POINT AREA
BALLAST POINT AREA OF TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA The most famous agatized corals from Florida came from a community known as Ballast Point in Tampa.

How can you tell if coral is fossilized?

Horn or tooth shape with segments

  1. Horn corals are the most common type of fossil with a horn shape and segmented ridges. If you can see the top of the fossil, a coral will have a cup-like depression. The cup will have grooves or lines radiating out from the axis.
  2. Some fossil horns have turned out to be cephalopods.

Are geodes found in Florida?

There are several places in Florida where geodes are found. The best locations include the west side of Dunedin, Ballast Point in Tampa, and the limestone quarries around Brooksville. These geodes are usually created in coral and are sometimes lined in beautiful carnelian red.

Do you need a permit to collect fossils in Florida?

In Florida it is illegal to collect vertebrate fossils (excluding shark teeth) without a permit from lands owned by the state. State lands include the bottoms of navigable waterways like rivers, lakes and some streams.

Where can I find rare stones in Florida?

Where Can You Dig for Gems in Florida?

  • Venice.
  • Dunedin.
  • Fort Drum.
  • Tampa Bay.
  • New Port Richey.
  • Tarpon Springs.
  • Econfina River.
  • Suwanee River.

Where are coral geodes found in Florida?