{"product_id":"japanese-star-sand","title":"Japanese Star Sand","description":"This “sand” is actually not sand at all. Rather than rock fragments, it is made of tiny, star-shaped fossils. \n\nEach piece is a fossilized exoskeleton of a sea creature from the Foraminifera group. These amoeba-like organisms have existed for about 542 million years, and over 50,000 species are known. \n\nTheir innumerable remains can be found on some beaches, but only a few beaches in the world are made of star sand. This particular sample is from Ishigaki Island in Okinawa, Japan. \n\nForaminifera are useful as index fossils, which means they can be used to date rock formations reliably. They are particularly helpful for the Permian, Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Cenozoic time periods. \n\nWe recommend examining these fossils under a magnifier or microscope for a closer look. \n\nOkinawan star sand displayed in a round acrylic case. \n\nThe majority of sand contained in each case is an exoskeleton, however, you can expect to find occasional shells mixed in.\n\nBe sure to check them out under magnification.\n\n\n\nContainer Dim","brand":"Stemcell Science Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45043002474633,"sku":"JA-0120","price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0698\/1520\/6025\/files\/f5faf36cc34ad36ae17dd2067bbc42db34f0d38f710f91f8aeeed374225da9e5.jpg?v=1765337775","url":"https:\/\/booandgaga.com\/products\/japanese-star-sand","provider":"Boo \u0026 Gaga Boutique","version":"1.0","type":"link"}