sedimentary
Fossilized Shark Tooth
Otodus sp. (approximate genus) / Hydroxyapatite fossil
Hardness: 5 (Mohs scale); Color: tan to creamy yellow; Luster: vitreo-resinous; Structure: triangular blade with a root; Cleavage: none
- Hardness
- 5 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- tan to creamy yellow
- Luster
- vitreo-resinous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 (Mohs scale); Color: tan to creamy yellow; Luster: vitreo-resinous; Structure: triangular blade with a root; Cleavage: none
Formation & geological history
Formed through the process of permineralization where organic tooth matter is replaced by minerals in marine sediments; typically Cretaceous to Eocene era (approx. 40-70 million years old).
Uses & applications
Used primarily for museum displays, educational collections, jewelry (pendants), and hobbyist fossil collecting.
Geological facts
Sharks can lose tens of thousands of teeth in a lifetime. Unlike bones, teeth fossilize easily because of their high mineral content. This specimen appears to be from a mackerel-type shark.
Field identification & locations
Identified by the distinct enameloid crown and ossified root. Commonly found in coastal deposits like the Atlantic Coastal Plain or phosphate mines. Field identification relies on the tapered shape and heavy mineralization compared to modern bone.
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