fossil
Fossil Shark Tooth
Elasmobranchii (Lamniformes order likely)
Hardness: 5 (Apatite); Color: Creamy white to beige; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Shape: Narrow, pointed blade with a small root base; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
- Hardness
- 5 (Apatite)
- Color
- Creamy white to beige
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 (Apatite); Color: Creamy white to beige; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Shape: Narrow, pointed blade with a small root base; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
Formation & geological history
Formed through permineralization where hydroxyapatite in the tooth is replaced or reinforced by minerals from surrounding sediment. Likely from the Cretaceous to Eocene periods (approx. 50-100 million years old), found in marine sedimentary layers.
Uses & applications
Scientific study (paleontology), educational collecting, and occasionally used in jewelry (pendants).
Geological facts
Shark teeth are the most common shark fossils because sharks lose thousands of teeth throughout their lives. This specimen's light color suggests it was preserved in a low-mineral or sandy environment compared to dark black teeth found in phosphate-rich sediments.
Field identification & locations
Check for a pointed, symmetrical shape and serrations (though this one appears smooth). Commonly found on beaches or in riverbeds near coastal plains. Collectors look for intact tips and roots.
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