sedimentary
Fossilized Shark Tooth
Scapanorhynchus (Sand Tiger Shark relative)
Hardness: 5 (Apatite); Color: Dark brown to black due to permineralization; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Elongated crown with a distinct bifurcated root; Specific gravity: approx 3.0
- Hardness
- 5 (Apatite)
- Color
- Dark brown to black due to permineralization
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 (Apatite); Color: Dark brown to black due to permineralization; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Elongated crown with a distinct bifurcated root; Specific gravity: approx 3.0
Formation & geological history
Formed through permineralization where minerals like phosphate or iron replace the original organic material in a marine sedimentary environment. Typically found in Cretaceous to Paleogene deposits (approx 65-100 million years old).
Uses & applications
Primarily used for educational purposes, scientific study, jewelry making, and private fossil collections.
Geological facts
Sharks lose thousands of teeth throughout their lives, making teeth the most common vertebrate fossils. The dark color is caused by the specific minerals present in the sediment during the fossilization process.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for the sharp, pointed enameloid crown and the bone-like root structure. Commonly found on beaches or in creek beds in the Atlantic Coastal Plain (e.g., New Jersey, Maryland, Florida).
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