Japanese Star Sand - Authentic Foraminifera Fossil Specimens from Okinawa

Japanese Star Sand Is Made of Tiny Shells, Not Rock

Japanese star sand is not sand at all. Each grain is the shell of a foraminifer, a single-celled sea creature. This specimen holds real star sand from Okinawa, Japan.

Product Details

• Origin: Star Sand Beach, Iriomote Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
• Type: Star sand foraminifera tests, which are shells
• Age: The foraminifera group dates back to about 550 million years ago
• Housing: Glass vial with a cork stopper, inside an acrylic jar
• Display: Glass-topped riker box, 4 x 3 x 1 in
• Includes: Information card that serves as the certificate of authenticity

Stars Made by Single Cells

Foraminifera build tiny protective shells, called tests. The pointed, star-shaped tests give Japanese star sand its name. Okinawa has several foram sand beaches.

The shells and the sand are almost the same size. Because of that, the foraminifera were separated by hand with tweezers.

A Long Record in Tiny Shells

Foraminifera appear in the fossil record as far back as 550 million years. Scientists use their shells to read ancient seas.

Star sand foraminifera are one of the smallest fossils you can hold. Find more in our Natural History Collection and Authentic Fossil Specimens.

Display and Care

Keep the vial sealed and the case away from damp and direct sun. Look at the Okinawa star sand through a magnifier. Every foraminifera fossil shows its stars up close.

About Foraminifera

Forams live in the sea and are still abundant today. Because a foraminifera fossil survives so well, museums keep millions of them. Okinawa star sand lets you see that record on your own shelf.

For More Reading from the Web

• See how a major museum collects and studies foraminifera. Microfossil Collection - UC Museum of Paleontology
• Read our supplier's page on this specimen. Japanese Star Sand - Mini Museum