fossil

Fossil Shark Tooth Fragment

Elasmobranchii dentition (fragment)

Hardness: 5 (hydroxyapatite enamel), Color: Cream/beige to tan, Luster: Dull to satin, Structure: Multi-layered fibrous dentin and enameloid, Features: Significant vertical ridges and grooves.

Identified July 6, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5 (hydroxyapatite enamel), Color: Cream/beige to tan, Luster: Dull to satin, Structure: Multi-layered fibrous dentin and enameloid, Features: Significant vertical ridges and grooves.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the permineralization of cartilaginous fish teeth, typically from the Cenozoic or Mesozoic eras. Found in marine sedimentary deposits where sediments replaced organic matter over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Educational specimens, personal collections, and jewelry (mostly wire-wrapped pendants).

Geological facts

The distinct vertical ridges on this fragment are characteristic of certain prehistoric shark species like Sand Tigers or extinct relatives of the Goblin shark. Sharks can lose thousands of teeth in their lifetime, making fossil teeth common in certain areas.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for bilateral symmetry and the presence of enameloid texture. Commonly found in riverbeds, phosphate mines, and coastal beaches in regions like Florida, the Carolinas, and Morocco.

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