Phosphate Pebble
Bone Valley Formation
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
A smooth, dark, waxy pebble from Florida's Bone Valley — the matrix that carries most of the state's fossils.
- Typical size
- 0.25–2 in
- How often it turns up
- Very common at fossil sites
- Collecting
- Check local rules
- Handling
- Safe to handle
Collecting on state land or in rivers may require a permit.
How to tell it apart
- Smooth, rounded, slightly waxy feel
- Dark brown, grey or black
- Heavier than a quartz pebble of the same size
Where to find these in Florida
Beaches rated very good or excellent for fossils. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.
- Caspersen Beach · Venice
- Englewood Beach (Chadwick Park) · Englewood
- Stump Pass Beach State Park · Englewood
- Turner Beach · Captiva
- Turtle Beach · Siesta Key
Found one?
Photograph it and BeachNut ranks the likely matches with a confidence read, then logs it to your collection with the beach and date.
Browsing beaches and the full field guide is free. A free account logs unlimited finds and gives you three photo identifications a day.
More fossils in the field guide
Get Florida beachcombing tips
Occasional emails: what's washing up, shelling tips and new BeachNut features. No spam, unsubscribe any time.