fossil

Fossilized Shark Tooth

Chondrichthyes (Class)

Hardness varies based on mineralization (typically Mohs 4-5 for the tooth material), color ranges from tan, grey, black, to brown depending on the minerals in the sediment where it was buried, luster is dull to vitreous, and the structure retains the original biological shape of enameloid and dentin replaced by mineral…

Identified August 4, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the process of permineralization, where minerals in groundwater replace the original organic material of a shark's tooth over millions of years. Geological age can range from Cretaceous to Miocene epochs (millions of years old).

Uses & applications

Valued by fossil collectors, used in educational displays, and crafted into jewelry.

Geological facts

Shark teeth are the most common type of shark fossil because a single shark can lose up to 40,000 teeth in its lifetime. The coloration of the tooth depends entirely on the chemical composition of the sediment it was buried in.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified by its distinctive triangular shape, sharp cutting edges, and sometimes a visible root structure. Frequently found in riverbeds, eroding coastal cliffs, and areas with exposed sedimentary rock formations.