A stunning example of a crinoid fossil of the species Pentacrinites fossilis from the world-famous Jurassic Coast beach of Charmouth, Dorset UK.
The fossil measures 140 mm (5.51 inches) across which is large for a single crinoid piece from this location. The fossil consists of multiple long stem sections with attachment cirri coming from them. The details are preserved on both sides of the piece. It is preserved in limestone with no pyrite and here is some modern coralline algae that encrusted part of the fossil while it was in a rock pool. These crinoids are very sought after and not easy to find these days, and large examples like this are even rarer. It weighs 275 grams.
Around 196 million years old (Sinemurian, Early Jurassic), this fossil would make a wonderful addition to any collection.
Crinoids are echinoderms closely related to starfish and sea urchins, and have been around for many hundreds of millions of years. They still live today in the deep seas around the world.