fossil
Fossilized Shark Tooth (Fragment)
Elasmobranchii (fossilized tooth)
Color: tan, yellowish-brown; Texture: smooth enamel-like surface on the blade; Hardness: varies based on permineralization (approx 5 on Mohs); Shape: conical or blade-like fragment.
- Hardness
- varies based on permineralization (approx 5 on Mohs)
- Color
- tan, yellowish-brown
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Physical properties
Color: tan, yellowish-brown; Texture: smooth enamel-like surface on the blade; Hardness: varies based on permineralization (approx 5 on Mohs); Shape: conical or blade-like fragment.
Formation & geological history
Formed when a shark's calcium-phosphate tooth dropped into sediment and underwent permineralization, typically during the Cenozoic or Mesozoic eras. Over millions of years, minerals from the surrounding water or soil replaced the organic structure.
Uses & applications
Scientific study, educational tools, and hobbyist collecting. High-quality specimens are used in jewelry.
Geological facts
Sharks can lose tens of thousands of teeth in a lifetime. Identifying the exact species from a small fragment can be difficult without the root structure.
Field identification & locations
Commonly found on coastal beaches or in riverbeds where ancient sea levels once reached. To identify, look for a glassy luster and a sharp or serrated edge distinct from common pebbles.
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