fossil

Fossilized Shark Tooth (Megalodon or Carcharocles fragment)

Elasmobranchii (Fossilized tooth root / crown section)

Hardness: 5 on Mohs scale (apatite/mineralized matrix); Color: Dark brown to black due to mineral replacement; Luster: Resinoid to dull-submetallic when wet; Cleavage: None, shows typical enamel/dentin striations and fracture lines; Specific Gravity: 2.8-3.1

Hardness: 5 on Mohs scale (apatite/mineralized matrix)
Color: Dark brown to black due to mineral replacement
Luster: Resinoid to dull-submetallic when wet

Identified July 23, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through permineralization over millions of years (typically Miocene to Pliocene epochs, 2.6 to 23 million years ago), where phosphate-rich minerals slowly replaced organic tooth structure in shallow marine sediments.

Uses & applications

Highly prized by fossil collectors, used in beachcombing displays, education, and custom wire-wrapped jewelry or pendants.

Geological facts

Shark teeth are among the most common marine fossils found on beaches because sharks shed thousands of teeth during their lifetimes, and the teeth mineralize easily in coastal sediment environments.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive jet-black or dark brownish color, glossy enamelized texture, and cross-sectional rectangular or root-like bone structure. Frequently found along coastal beaches and riverbeds in Florida, North Carolina, and coastal Maryland.

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