Fossilized Coral

Fossilized Coral is formed over a multimillion year process as minerals surround, solidify and replace decomposing coral. Though Fossilized coral is found world wide, there are very few locations where the complex fossilization process results in a durable, unpitted, and attractive stone. The fossilized coral from Sumatra and the southern part of Borneo is about 25 million years old. Because of its golden hues and hard mineralization, this coral takes a great polish and shows a defined flower like patterning. The other type of fossilized coral I work with comes from Michigan and is called Petoskey Stone. Petoskey Stone is coral that is 250 million years old.  It is relatively soft and found exclusively in a gray brown color. Though less colorful, Petoskey stones are quite attractive and can have a range of patterning as they are formed by a wider range of species of coral.