Fossils for Sale - High-quality BRITISH and WORLDWIDE Fossils. An impressive selection of fossils, including Ammonites, Trilobites, Belemnites, Fossil Fish, Fossil Shark Teeth, Fossilised Insects in Amber, Dinosaurs, and Reptiles. UK Fossils was formed in 1988 and collects and preps our own fossils in the heart of the Jurassic Coast, collecting fossils from Lyme Regis, Charmouth and Somerset. Our passion for fossils is reflected in our carefully curated collection, which includes some of the rarest and most unique specimens available.

FREE UK DELIVERY - Save up to 60%

Gryphaea arcuata Fossil Bivalve, Blue Lias Formation, Jurassic UK | Frampton-on-Severn Gloucestershire + COA
Gryphaea arcuata Fossil Bivalve, Blue Lias Formation, Jurassic UK | Frampton-on-Severn Gloucestershire + COA - Image 2
Gryphaea arcuata Fossil Bivalve, Blue Lias Formation, Jurassic UK | Frampton-on-Severn Gloucestershire + COA - Image 3

Gryphaea arcuata Fossil Bivalve, Blue Lias Formation, Jurassic UK | Frampton-on-Severn Gloucestershire + COA

£18.00

Gryphaea arcuata Fossil Bivalve – Blue Lias Formation, Lower Jurassic, Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, England

This beautifully curved bivalve fossil is a classic example of Gryphaea arcuata, a member of the extinct oyster family that thrived in Jurassic seas. Commonly referred to as a “Devil’s Toenail” due to its curled shell shape, this specimen was collected from the famous Blue Lias Formation at Frampton-on-Severn, in Gloucestershire, England.

Fossil Type & Species:

  • Type: Invertebrate Fossil (Bivalve – Oyster)
  • Species: Gryphaea arcuata
  • Phylum: Mollusca
  • Class: Bivalvia
  • Order: Ostreoida
  • Superfamily: Ostreoidea
  • Family: Gryphaeidae
  • Described by: Lamarck, 1801

Geological & Stratigraphic Details:

  • Location: Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, UK
  • Formation: Blue Lias Formation
  • Geological Stage: Lower Jurassic (Hettangian–Sinemurian)
  • Age: ~201–190 million years ago
  • Biozone: Planorbis or Bucklandi zones, common to basal Jurassic marine sequences
  • Depositional Environment: Shallow marine shelf, typically low-energy, muddy seafloor ideal for benthic bivalves like Gryphaea

Morphology & Features: This Gryphaea arcuata specimen shows:

  • Distinctively curved, thick lower valve (the larger, more robust part of the shell)
  • Smaller, flatter upper valve which often detached during fossilisation
  • Fine growth lines and concentric ridges visible across the surface
  • Natural preservation in a pale grey to blue-grey tone from the Blue Lias limestone matrix
  • Classic “Devil’s Toenail” shape, iconic in UK fossil heritage

Notable: Gryphaea arcuata is one of the most famous and easily recognisable fossils from Britain’s Jurassic Coast and inland exposures like the Severn Estuary. Often used as a teaching specimen and found in museum collections worldwide, it provides key insight into early Jurassic marine ecology.

Specimen Details:

  • Origin: Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, UK
  • Species: Gryphaea arcuata
  • Fossil Type: Bivalve Shell (Oyster)
  • Geological Stage: Lower Jurassic
  • Formation: Blue Lias
  • Size Reference: Scale rule square = 1cm (see listing photo for full sizing)
  • Note: The specimen shown is the exact one you will receive

Authenticity & Quality: We guarantee all fossils are 100% genuine. This piece is professionally selected and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. No reconstruction or artificial alteration has been applied.

Why Choose This Fossil? Perfect for:

  • Beginners and seasoned fossil collectors alike
  • Educational or scientific use
  • Natural history displays
  • Iconic UK fossil souvenirs and gifts

Shipping & Packaging: We use eco-conscious, secure packaging and offer tracked global shipping. Every item is carefully wrapped to ensure safe delivery.

Add a true Jurassic classic to your collection with this authentic Gryphaea arcuata fossil from the Blue Lias of Gloucestershire.

 

All of our Fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens & come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

(Actual as seen)

Out of stock

SKU: UF3226 Category:

Description

Gryphaea arcuata Fossil Bivalve – Blue Lias Formation, Lower Jurassic, Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, England

This beautifully curved bivalve fossil is a classic example of Gryphaea arcuata, a member of the extinct oyster family that thrived in Jurassic seas. Commonly referred to as a “Devil’s Toenail” due to its curled shell shape, this specimen was collected from the famous Blue Lias Formation at Frampton-on-Severn, in Gloucestershire, England.

Fossil Type & Species:

  • Type: Invertebrate Fossil (Bivalve – Oyster)
  • Species: Gryphaea arcuata
  • Phylum: Mollusca
  • Class: Bivalvia
  • Order: Ostreoida
  • Superfamily: Ostreoidea
  • Family: Gryphaeidae
  • Described by: Lamarck, 1801

Geological & Stratigraphic Details:

  • Location: Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, UK
  • Formation: Blue Lias Formation
  • Geological Stage: Lower Jurassic (Hettangian–Sinemurian)
  • Age: ~201–190 million years ago
  • Biozone: Planorbis or Bucklandi zones, common to basal Jurassic marine sequences
  • Depositional Environment: Shallow marine shelf, typically low-energy, muddy seafloor ideal for benthic bivalves like Gryphaea

Morphology & Features: This Gryphaea arcuata specimen shows:

  • Distinctively curved, thick lower valve (the larger, more robust part of the shell)
  • Smaller, flatter upper valve which often detached during fossilisation
  • Fine growth lines and concentric ridges visible across the surface
  • Natural preservation in a pale grey to blue-grey tone from the Blue Lias limestone matrix
  • Classic “Devil’s Toenail” shape, iconic in UK fossil heritage

Notable: Gryphaea arcuata is one of the most famous and easily recognisable fossils from Britain’s Jurassic Coast and inland exposures like the Severn Estuary. Often used as a teaching specimen and found in museum collections worldwide, it provides key insight into early Jurassic marine ecology.

Specimen Details:

  • Origin: Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, UK
  • Species: Gryphaea arcuata
  • Fossil Type: Bivalve Shell (Oyster)
  • Geological Stage: Lower Jurassic
  • Formation: Blue Lias
  • Size Reference: Scale rule square = 1cm (see listing photo for full sizing)
  • Note: The specimen shown is the exact one you will receive

Authenticity & Quality: We guarantee all fossils are 100% genuine. This piece is professionally selected and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. No reconstruction or artificial alteration has been applied.

Why Choose This Fossil? Perfect for:

  • Beginners and seasoned fossil collectors alike
  • Educational or scientific use
  • Natural history displays
  • Iconic UK fossil souvenirs and gifts

Shipping & Packaging: We use eco-conscious, secure packaging and offer tracked global shipping. Every item is carefully wrapped to ensure safe delivery.

Add a true Jurassic classic to your collection with this authentic Gryphaea arcuata fossil from the Blue Lias of Gloucestershire.

 

All of our Fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens & come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Additional information

Era

Jurassic
Origin

United Kingdom

Jurassic Information

The Jurassic Period (201–145 million years ago) was the golden age of dinosaurs, with iconic species like Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Allosaurus dominating the land. It was a time of warm, humid climates, with high sea levels that created vast shallow seas, supporting abundant marine reptiles, ammonites, and early coral reefs. The first birds, such as Archaeopteryx, evolved from small theropod dinosaurs, while early mammals remained small and nocturnal. Lush forests of cycads, conifers, and ferns covered the land, providing food for giant herbivores. The breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea accelerated, shaping Earth's geography and setting the stage for the diverse ecosystems of the Cretaceous.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.

Related products