{"product_id":"japanese-star-sand","title":"Japanese Star Sand - Authentic Foraminifera Fossil Specimens from Okinawa","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"The tiniest of stars beneath our feet can reveal the greatest mysteries of deep time.\"\u003c\/em\u003e Star Sand is not sand at all. It is \u003cstrong\u003eForaminifera\u003c\/strong\u003e - tiny, single-celled marine organisms with hard, protective shells that form entire island beaches in parts of Japan's Okinawa Prefecture. This \u003cstrong\u003eauthentic Japanese Star Sand fossil specimen\u003c\/strong\u003e is a collection of real Foraminifera tests (shells) from Okinawa, presented in a glass-topped riker display case with certificate of authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEach Grain Is an Ancient Shell - A Single-Celled Creature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eForaminifera are single-celled organisms - protists - that secrete calcium carbonate shells of extraordinary geometric complexity. The star-shaped form familiar from Okinawa's beaches is produced by a radial arrangement of chambers around a central structure, giving each test its characteristic pointed arms. Considered a biological reference point by paleontologists and an inspiration to Charles Darwin, Foraminifera appear in the fossil record for hundreds of millions of years and are still alive today - these individual organisms each living for approximately 2 to 3 weeks before their shells settle to the ocean floor. When those shells accumulate faster than other sediment, entire beaches of star sand form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Authentic Japanese Star Sand Fossil for Collectors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a cast. These are genuine Foraminifera shells. Each specimen includes a Mini Museum certificate of authenticity and informational display card. Explore more in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.museumize.com\/collections\/natural-history-collection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eNatural History Collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSKU:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80-112-0002-201-36\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Okinawa Prefecture, Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foraminifera tests (shells)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glass-topped riker display case\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Certificate of authenticity and informational card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Mini Museum","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43171393470577,"sku":"80-112-0002-201-36","price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0615\/0537\/files\/add-on-star-sand-1000.jpg?v=1777668725","url":"https:\/\/www.museumize.com\/products\/japanese-star-sand","provider":"Museumize.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}