Turritella Agate is a fossiliferous agate that contains countless fossilized snail shells preserved within its structure. It is found in the Green River Formation in Wyoming, which is known for ancient lakes that existed during the early and middle parts of the Eocene epoch around 50 million years ago. These shells belong to freshwater gastropods such as Elimia, a member of the Pleuroceridae family, rather than true Turritella snails, yet the historic name has remained in use. The stone often appears brown or black and can be translucent to semi‑transparent with spiral‑shaped shells and cavities clearly seen within the stone. It is considered a unique agate form created through microcrystalline silica that filled limestone and sandstone sediments where shells sank to the bottom of the lake. In this guide, let’s explore this agate and see what it’s all about.
Turritella Agate meaning
Earth connection: Turritella Agate may hold an energy that could help you feel more connected to the land beneath you as it carries fossil patterns within its structure. This stone may carry a grounding quality that could help you feel more stable in moments when thoughts feel scattered. Its ancient shell patterns may symbolize life cycles and may bring awareness to natural rhythms that surround daily living.
Emotional balance: When holding turritella agate, many people believe it may create a sense of emotional calm by linking you to memories and lessons from long ago. Its appearance filled with fossilized shells may remind you that change happens over long periods and that patience could be helpful. This stone may be used in settings where people seek to feel a deeper inner balance through reflection and observation.
Protective energy: There are many who see turritella agate as a stone that could form a protective field for those who keep it close. The fossilized shells may be seen as symbols of security that survived long eras within the earth. This stone may be valued in spaces where people look for a sense of safety and a stronger awareness of their surroundings as they go through personal growth.
Turritella Agate spiritual meaning
Spiritual growth: Turritella agate may carry a vibration that some feel could open pathways for spiritual exploration, allowing old thoughts to be released gradually. The stone’s fossil details may represent wisdom that has been preserved within layers of time. In certain practices, this type of agate may be placed nearby during meditation as people search for a more meaningful connection to life experiences.
Deep reflection: Turritella agate may be viewed as a stone that could help with thoughtful spiritual reflection by drawing attention to the passage of time and the layers of personal history. Its fossil patterns may represent ancient knowledge that remains within the earth. Many people choose to keep this stone nearby during quiet practices when seeking a deeper sense of understanding and a calm awareness of inner growth.
Turritella Agate chakra
Turritella Agate is commonly linked to the root chakra, which is connected to feeling grounded and aware of the physical world. This stone is known for containing fossilized shells that have remained in its surface for millions of years, giving it a distinctive appearance and a connection to history and earth energy.
When people use Turritella Agate in practices that focus on the root chakra, they often concentrate on building a stronger sense of foundation in daily life. The patterns within the stone are thought to represent endurance and the cycles of time, and this may encourage reflection on personal growth and stability. Many individuals, for example, place this stone near them during meditation or keep it in a space where they want to feel more aware of their surroundings.
Over time, it has become appreciated by those who work with energy centers for its reputation of helping one feel connected to the ground beneath them. Its link to the root chakra makes it a meaningful addition for those who value stones with deep ties to earth and natural formations.
Where is Turritella Agate found?
The material comes from chertified fossiliferous lacustrine limestone formed during the Eocene of Wyoming. Layers of fine‑grained sediment collected on the bottom of ancient lakes, and over time the shells of freshwater snails became silicified as microcrystalline silica in the groundwater replaced the original limestone. These fossils entombed within the stone reveal patterns within the shells and the voids left behind. The Green River region has long been studied by paleontology specialists and paleontological research institutions because the stone preserves a detailed record of ancient aquatic life and the sedimentary processes of the Eocene epoch. Here’s where you can find these agates throughout the world…
Wyoming, United States: Turritella Agate is most famously found in the Green River Formation located in Wyoming. This region is known for layers of sedimentary rock that date back millions of years and contain fossilized snail shells. Many specimens come from areas near the towns of Farson and Wamsutter where deposits have been collected for decades.
Colorado, United States: Certain parts of Colorado also hold occurrences of Turritella Agate within ancient sedimentary layers. These areas show similar fossil patterns, although they are not as widely mined as those in Wyoming. Local collectors sometimes search riverbeds and exposed rock for pieces showing clear shell impressions.
South Dakota, United States: In South Dakota, deposits have been located in sections of older rock formations that share a connection with other fossil rich regions. The pieces found here often display intricate fossil details and are known to be gathered by hobbyists and mineral enthusiasts.
Utah, United States: Some outcrops in Utah have been reported to contain material resembling Turritella Agate. These areas tend to produce smaller quantities, but the stone is valued by those who collect unique fossiliferous agates from different localities in the western part of the country.
How rare is Turritella Agate?
Turritella Agate is not considered extremely rare because large deposits are known in certain parts of the United States, especially within the Green River Formation of Wyoming. It is collected in significant amounts, and many pieces show clear fossilized patterns of ancient snail shells.
Although it is available in many rock shops and markets, high quality specimens with sharp fossil details and fewer fractures are less common and are often more valued by collectors. The stone is mainly found in specific regions, so while it is not globally abundant, it is not difficult to locate in areas where these fossil beds are present.
Turritella Agate price
Turritella Agate is generally affordable and can be found in many different forms that vary in price. Rough pieces are often sold by weight and can range from around $2 to about $10 per pound depending on size and clarity. Tumbled stones and small polished pieces tend to cost between $5 and $20 each depending on how well they are finished. Larger display pieces, slabs and high grade cabochons can be much higher in price, often ranging anywhere from $20 to well over $100 depending on craftsmanship and the detail of the fossil patterns. Very large or museum quality specimens with striking fossil content can reach several hundred dollars or more, especially when cut or polished for collectors and jewelers. This broad range shows that Turritella Agate is widely available in many price levels.
Turritella Agate properties
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Color | Brown, black, gray, and cream with fossilized snail shells visible within the stone |
| Luster | Waxy to glasslike appearance when polished with a smooth reflective surface |
| Hardness | 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale which makes it durable for shaping and cutting |
| Transparency | Mostly opaque though very thin slices can let light pass through |
| Composition | A form of chalcedony which is microcrystalline quartz containing fossil material |
| Density | Specific gravity around 2.6 typical for quartz based stones |
| Fracture | Conchoidal fracture that breaks into smooth curved surfaces |
| Structure | Formed in sedimentary layers where fossil shells became part of hardened silica |
