Rock Identifier
Fossilized Shark Tooth (Chondrichthyes (class)) — fossil
fossil

Fossilized Shark Tooth

Chondrichthyes (class)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 5-5.5 on Mohs scale (due to mineralization); Color: tan, grey, brown, or black; Luster: vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: none (organic-derived mineralized apatite/phosphate); Specific gravity: 2.6-3.2

Hardness
5-5
Color
tan, grey, brown, or black
Luster
vitreous to dull
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Physical properties

Hardness: 5-5.5 on Mohs scale (due to mineralization); Color: tan, grey, brown, or black; Luster: vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: none (organic-derived mineralized apatite/phosphate); Specific gravity: 2.6-3.2

Formation & geological history

Formed through permineralization where organic tooth material is slowly replaced by minerals like silica, calcite, or phosphate over millions of years, often dating from the Cretaceous to Cenozoic periods.

Uses & applications

Valuable for paleontological study, educational displays, jewelry, and fossil collecting.

Geological facts

Sharks can lose thousands of teeth in a lifetime, making teeth the most common shark fossil found worldwide. Ancient megalodon teeth can reach up to 7 inches in length.

Field identification & locations

Found in sedimentary rock layers, river beds, beaches, and eroded cliffs. Collectors often use sifting screens in known fossiliferous marine deposits to find smaller specimens.

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