A nice example of a crinoid fossil of the species Pentacrinites fossilis from the world-famous Jurassic Coast beach of Charmouth, Dorset UK.
The fossil measures 160 mm (6.3 inches) across which is large for a crinoid fossil from this location. The fossil consists of the head of a crinoid with detailed arms and pinnules spread across the shale. It is preserved in limestone with a layer of pyrite on the surface and has been set into a rock-coloured plaster. These crinoids are very sought after and not easy to find these days, and large examples like this are even rarer. It weighs 205 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.