fossil

Fossilized Shark Tooth (Fragment)

Elasmobranchii gen. et sp. indet.

Hardness: 3.5-5 on Mohs scale; Color: Dark brown to shiny black; Luster: Vitreous to dull sub-metallic; Structure: Dense osteodentine core covered by smooth, shiny enameloid enamel caps.

Hardness: 3
Color: Dark brown to shiny black
Luster: Vitreous to dull sub-metallic

Identified July 24, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3.5-5 on Mohs scale; Color: Dark brown to shiny black; Luster: Vitreous to dull sub-metallic; Structure: Dense osteodentine core covered by smooth, shiny enameloid enamel caps.

Formation & geological history

Formed via permineralization where original calcium phosphate (apatite) was replaced or impregnated with minerals such as pyrite, iron oxides, or silica in marine sedimentary environments over millions of years (typically Miocene to Eocene epochs).

Uses & applications

Collected by amateur paleontologists and fossil enthusiasts, used in beachcombing displays, educational collections, and simple wire-wrapped jewelry pieces.

Geological facts

Shark teeth are among the most abundant fossils on Earth because sharks shed thousands of teeth during their lifetime, and the enameloid material fossilizes readily under marine sediment.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive glossy surface, dark coloration (due to mineral absorption during fossilization), and characteristic blade-to-root shape or broken cross-section. Commonly found on beaches along coastal regions like Maryland, Florida, and North Carolina.

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