fossil

Fossil Shark Tooth

Chondrichthyes (Class)

Hardness varies depending on mineralization (usually Mohs 5-7), color ranges from white, tan, and gray to black depending on the sediment it was buried in, dull to glassy luster, triangular or elongated pointed shape with serrated or smooth cutting edges.

Identified July 28, 2026More fossil →

Explore Fossil Shark Tooth in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when a shark shed its teeth and they were rapidly buried in marine sediment, preventing decay. Over thousands to millions of years, minerals like silica, calcium phosphate, or iron replaced the original organic material through permineralization.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in fossil collecting, educational displays, and as gemstones in jewelry such as necklaces and rings.

Geological facts

Sharks lose thousands of teeth in a lifetime, making shark teeth among the most common fossils found worldwide. Megalodon teeth are particularly prized by collectors.

Field identification & locations

Found commonly in riverbeds, construction sites, and eroding coastal cliffs where ancient ocean floors are exposed. Look for characteristic triangular shapes, glossy enamel, and distinct root structures.