Rock Identifier
Fossil Shark Tooth (Chondrichthyes (Class)) — fossil
fossil

Fossil Shark Tooth

Chondrichthyes (Class)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness varies by mineralization (typically Mohs 4-5 for fluorapatite/calcite replacement), brown to tan color, vitreous to dull luster, crystalline phosphate structure, specific gravity around 2.7-3.0.

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Physical properties

Hardness varies by mineralization (typically Mohs 4-5 for fluorapatite/calcite replacement), brown to tan color, vitreous to dull luster, crystalline phosphate structure, specific gravity around 2.7-3.0.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the process of permineralization where original organic material of shark teeth is slowly replaced by minerals like silica, calcite, or phosphate over millions of years, commonly dating from the Cretaceous to Neogene periods.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in fossil collecting, education, jewelry, and paleontology studies.

Geological facts

Sharks lose thousands of teeth in their lifetimes, making their teeth some of the most common vertebrate fossils found worldwide.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified in the field by their distinctive triangular or V-shape, often found in sedimentary deposits such as riverbeds, coastal cliffs, and ancient marine layers.

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