fossil
Fossil Shark Tooth
Carcharocles or Lamniformes (order)
Hardness: 5 (Mohs scale), Color: Creamy white to beige, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Shape: Curved triangular blade with a pointed tip
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 (Mohs scale), Color: Creamy white to beige, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Shape: Curved triangular blade with a pointed tip
Formation & geological history
Formed through permineralization where hydroxyapatite in the original biological tooth is replaced by minerals like silica or phosphate over millions of years, typically in marine sedimentary environments during the Eocene to Miocene epochs.
Uses & applications
Primarily for fossil collecting, biological education, and frequently used in jewelry such as necklaces or wire-wrapped pendants.
Geological facts
Shark teeth are the most common shark fossils because their skeletons are made of cartilage, which decays, while their teeth are hard calcium phosphate that fossilizes well. A single shark can lose thousands of teeth in its lifetime.
Field identification & locations
Can be found in coastal areas, riverbeds, or sedimentary deposits formerly underwater. Look for sharp, triangular, or blade-like shapes that are harder than surrounding pebbles and often have a distinct root structure.
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