sedimentary
Fossilized Shark Tooth
Fossil Chondrichthyes (various genera such as Carcharias or Odontaspis)
Hardness: 5 (Mohs scale), Color: Brown to rust-red (due to iron mineralization), Luster: Dull to waxy, Crystal structure: Amorphous/Biological, Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture, Specific gravity: 2.8-3.1
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 (Mohs scale), Color: Brown to rust-red (due to iron mineralization), Luster: Dull to waxy, Crystal structure: Amorphous/Biological, Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture, Specific gravity: 2.8-3.1
Formation & geological history
Formed through permineralization where hydroxyapatite of the tooth is replaced by groundwater minerals. This specimen appears to be from the Cenozoic era (2-50 million years ago), often found in marine sedimentary layers.
Uses & applications
Used primarily for biological study, fossil collecting, and occasionally jewelry or ornaments.
Geological facts
Shark teeth are the most common shark fossils because their skeletons are cartilage and don't fossilize well, but the enamel-covered teeth are extremely durable. A single shark can lose thousands of teeth in its lifetime.
Field identification & locations
Identify by the triangular shape and bifurcated root. Commonly found on beaches or in riverbeds near coastal sedimentary deposits like the Peace River in Florida or cliffs of the Carolinas.
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