Devils toenail Gryphaea from Gloucestershire UK
Size-
3.7cm x 2.1cm x 1.6cm
Weight-
20g
You will receive the item in the photo
The devils toenail is the nickname for Gryphaea, an extinct genus of prehistoric oyster like bivalve mollusks that lived from the late Jurassic to the early paleogene periods.
These fossils are characterised by their thick strongly curved and coiled lower shell.
These bivalves rested on the muddy seafloor. Because their shells were made of thick calcite the fossilised beautifully.
They are found in sedimentary rocks like limestone and shale.
During medieval times and the Tudor era people didn’t known these were remains of ancient sea life. Due the shape it led the folklore to think they were the discarded toenails of the devil. In some religions they was carried as good luck charms.