sedimentary
Fossil Shark Tooth
Selachimorpha (Chondrichthyes dental fossil)
Hardness: 5 (Mohs); Color: Black, dark gray, or brown due to permineralization; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Enameloid crown with a distinct root; Density: High for its size.
- Hardness
- 5 (Mohs)
- Color
- Black, dark gray, or brown due to permineralization
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 (Mohs); Color: Black, dark gray, or brown due to permineralization; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Enameloid crown with a distinct root; Density: High for its size.
Formation & geological history
Formed through permineralization over millions of years (Cenozoic or Mesozoic eras), where minerals like phosphate or silica replace the organic tooth material in seafloor sediment.
Uses & applications
Educational specimens, jewelry (necklaces), and collector items.
Geological facts
Sharks lose thousands of teeth in their lifetime; the dark color of this specimen indicates it has been fossilized for at least 10,000 to millions of years, unlike white modern teeth.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its triangular shape, serrated or smooth edges, and a distinct hard root. Commonly found on beaches known for fossil deposits or in phosphate mines.
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