Description
Authentic Promicroceras Calcite Ammonite Fossil from the Jurassic Coast, Dorset
This striking Promicroceras Calcite Ammonite Fossil comes from the famous Black Ven Marls of the Lower Lias Formation, part of the Jurassic Coast at Black Ven, Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK. Expertly discovered by Alister and Alison on 04 November 2025, this genuine fossil has been professionally cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison to museum-grade standard. The specimen dates to the Early Jurassic (Sinemurian Stage), approximately 195–200 million years ago, offering an authentic glimpse into the ancient marine life that once flourished in these prehistoric seas. Its delicate calcite infilling gives it a natural translucency and a subtle sheen that beautifully highlights its intricate coiling and ribbed structure.
Geological and Scientific Context
Promicroceras is a genus of extinct ammonites belonging to the family Eoderoceratidae, within the superfamily Eoderoceratoidea and the order Ammonitida. These ammonites lived during the Sinemurian Stage of the Early Jurassic period, an era marked by extensive shallow seas across what is now southern England. The Black Ven Marls, part of the Charmouth Mudstone Formation, are one of the richest fossil-bearing deposits in the world, forming a key part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jurassic Coast.
Deposited in a low-energy marine environment, these marls consist of fine clays and calcareous muds that settled slowly on the sea floor. The quiet conditions, combined with low oxygen levels, provided the perfect environment for the exceptional preservation of marine fossils such as ammonites, belemnites, and marine reptiles. Over millions of years, the original shell material of this ammonite was replaced by calcite, preserving the fine ribbing and internal suture patterns in exquisite detail.
Morphology and Distinctive Features
The Promicroceras ammonite is easily identified by its small, tightly coiled, evolute shell, with all whorls visible and evenly proportioned. The shell is marked by fine, regular ribbing that runs across each whorl and a well-defined keel along the outer margin. This distinctive morphology made the species a strong swimmer and a valuable biostratigraphic marker, defining the Promicroceras Biozone within the Sinemurian Stage. This zone is used by geologists and palaeontologists to date and correlate early Jurassic marine sediments worldwide.
The calcite infilling of this specimen accentuates the ribbed texture, allowing light to play across the whorls and revealing subtle natural colour variations from creamy beige to translucent amber tones. Each rib and suture line reflects the natural architecture of the shell’s chambers, which were once filled with gas or liquid to control buoyancy. These internal divisions are key to understanding the ammonite’s anatomy and its adaptation to life in open water.
Geological Age and Depositional Environment
This ammonite formed approximately 197 million years ago, during the Sinemurian Stage of the Lower Lias. The Black Ven Marls, found between Lyme Regis and Charmouth, are world-famous for their fossil content and their role in defining early Jurassic stratigraphy. The area’s alternating layers of grey marl and mudstone were deposited in calm, shallow marine conditions that favoured the preservation of delicate shell material. Subsequent mineralisation processes transformed these once-organic remains into the beautiful calcite fossils prized by collectors today.
The Jurassic Coast represents one of the most complete and continuous records of Earth’s geological history, spanning 185 million years. Fossils from this region are not only scientifically valuable but also hold deep historical significance, continuing the legacy of fossil collecting that began here during the early 19th century.
Preparation and Provenance
This specimen has been expertly prepared and conserved by Alison, whose meticulous work highlights the ammonite’s fine detail while preserving its authenticity. All preparation was done by hand using precision tools to ensure the fossil remained stable and true to its natural form. Each fossil we sell is 100% genuine and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its identification, geological formation, and locality.
Discovered and prepared by our own team, this ammonite carries a traceable provenance and embodies the high standards we maintain for all our specimens. Its natural calcite preservation and expert preparation make it both scientifically significant and visually stunning.
Size and Presentation
Scale cube = 1 cm. Please refer to the product photographs for exact sizing. The images show the actual specimen you will receive. The fossil sits securely within its natural marl matrix, making it perfect for display. The calcite sheen contrasts beautifully against the matrix, giving it a polished, natural appearance ideal for collectors, educators, and interior design enthusiasts alike.
A Rare Collector’s Fossil from the Heart of the Jurassic Coast
Promicroceras ammonites from Black Ven, Lyme Regis, are among the most recognisable and sought-after fossils from the Lower Lias. Their scientific importance, aesthetic appeal, and connection to Britain’s most famous fossil site make them true treasures of natural history. This Promicroceras Calcite Ammonite Fossil, carefully discovered and prepared by our team, offers an opportunity to own an authentic piece of Jurassic heritage preserved in beautiful natural calcite.








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