fossil

Fossilized Shark Tooth (Sand Tiger)

Carcharias sp. (Fossilized Tooth)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 5 (Enamelized); Color: Creamy white to tan; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Shape: Slender, needle-like, slightly curved cusplets; Composition: Bio-apatite replaced by minerals.

Hardness: 5 (Enamelized)
Color: Creamy white to tan
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified July 6, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5 (Enamelized); Color: Creamy white to tan; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Shape: Slender, needle-like, slightly curved cusplets; Composition: Bio-apatite replaced by minerals.

Formation & geological history

Formed through permineralization where minerals like silica or calcium carbonate replace biological tissue. Most common specimens are from the Neogene or Paleogene periods (approx. 5-60 million years old).

Uses & applications

Primarily for fossil collecting, educational displays, and sometimes used in wire-wrapped jewelry.

Geological facts

Unlike bone, shark teeth fossilize easily because they are made of hard dentin and enamel. A single shark can lose thousands of teeth in its lifetime, leading to their abundance in the fossil record.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its sharp, conical shape and presence of a distinct root line. Frequently found in coastal sedimentary deposits, riverbeds, and phosphate mines in regions like Florida, the Carolinas, and Morocco.