sedimentary
Fossilized Shark Tooth (Fragment)
Elasmobranchii fossil (likely Cretalamna or Squalicorax genus)
Hardness: 5 (enamel) on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to dark grey; Luster: Dull to semi-glossy; Structure: Dense calcium phosphate (apatite); Cleavage: None/conchoidal fracture
- Hardness
- 5 (enamel) on Mohs scale
- Color
- Tan to dark grey
- Luster
- Dull to semi-glossy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 (enamel) on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to dark grey; Luster: Dull to semi-glossy; Structure: Dense calcium phosphate (apatite); Cleavage: None/conchoidal fracture
Formation & geological history
Formed through permineralization of shark teeth where organic components are replaced by minerals in marine sediments. Generally dates from the Cretaceous to Neogene periods (approx. 100 to 2 million years ago).
Uses & applications
Primarily for personal collections, educational tools, and occasionally used in craft jewelry.
Geological facts
Sharks shed thousands of teeth throughout their lives, which is why they are one of the most common vertebrate fossils found worldwide.
Field identification & locations
Identify by the distinct division between the 'crown' (top darker smooth part) and the 'root' (lower porous tan part). Commonly found in riverbeds, coastal beaches, and phosphate mines.
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