Fossil Sand Dollar and Clam

These well-preserved clams and sand dollars lived in a shallow sea that covered the San Joaquin Valley for millions of years. During storms the animals became buried in sediments which preserved the shells. Under heat and pressure, the shells altered into calcite, yet preserved their fine detail. Later, due to movement of the nearby San Andreas fault, the whole area was uplifted, becoming the Kettleman Hills. The Hills became famous for its oil in the 1920s. But the oil has since played out and the land is returning to its former native environment. We’ve polished the primary shells to show their beauty and detail. Iron and petroleum color the shells. We have spent years mapping the Hills and are the only people who know where to find these unique fossils.

Notes specific to this specimen: Exquisite large brown polished sand dollar with two great polished clams and some unpolished clams beside them. This is a matrix piece that has a flat bottom so it stands up nicely.

SIZE: 4″x 3″x 3″

NAME: Psuedocardium & Dendraster
AGE: Pliocene 4 million years
UNIT: Etchegoin Formation
SITE: Kettleman Hills, California

Documents: This authentic fossil specimen comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and Origin. In addition, an attractive and informative display card accompanies the specimen.

These well-preserved clams and sand dollars lived in a shallow sea that covered the San Joaquin Valley for millions of years. During storms the animals became buried in sediments which preserved the shells. Under heat and pressure, the shells altered into calcite, yet preserved their fine detail. Later, due to movement of the nearby San Andreas fault, the whole area was uplifted, becoming the Kettleman Hills. The Hills became famous for its oil in the 1920s. But the oil has since played out and the land is returning to its former native environment. We’ve polished the primary shells to show their beauty and detail. Iron and petroleum color the shells. We have spent years mapping the Hills and are the only people who know where to find these unique fossils.

Notes specific to this specimen: Beautiful and showy matrix piece with flat bottom so it stands nicely. This specimen has one large polished sand dollar and one infant sand dollar along with a great polished clam.

SIZE: 4″x 3″x 3″

NAME: Psuedocardium & Dendraster
AGE: Pliocene 4 million years
UNIT: Etchegoin Formation
SITE: Kettleman Hills, California

Documents: This authentic fossil specimen comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and Origin. In addition, an attractive and informative display card accompanies the specimen.