fossil

Fossilized Shark Tooth (Carcharocles/Otodus or Sand Tiger Shark Tooth)

Elasmobranchii (Fossilized Tooth)

Hardness: 5 (apatite composition). Color: Tan, beige, off-white to brownish. Luster: Dull to sub-vitreous. Structure: Distinct pointed triangular crown with a pronounced, wider root area.

Hardness: 5 (apatite composition)
Color: Tan, beige, off-white to brownish
Luster: Dull to sub-vitreous

Identified July 23, 2026More fossil →

Explore Fossilized Shark Tooth (Carcharocles/Otodus or Sand Tiger Shark Tooth) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 5 (apatite composition). Color: Tan, beige, off-white to brownish. Luster: Dull to sub-vitreous. Structure: Distinct pointed triangular crown with a pronounced, wider root area.

Formation & geological history

Formed through biomineralization where original calcium phosphate (hydroxylapatite) in shark cartilage/teeth is mineralized over millions of years (typically Paleogene to Neogene periods, ~2 to 50 million years old) in marine sedimentary environments.

Uses & applications

Highly popular for fossil collection, educational displays, gemstone/pendant jewelry, and decorative items.

Geological facts

Sharks produce thousands of teeth in a lifetime. Because their skeletons are cartilage, teeth are usually the only preserved parts in the fossil record. Phosphatization in shallow marine sediment preserves the fine structural details.

Field identification & locations

Identified by the distinct sharp triangular shape tapering to a point with a thick, bifurcated or lobed root section. Commonly found in coastal sedimentary deposits, river beds, and ocean beaches in coastal regions like the US East Coast (e.g., Florida, the Carolinas, Maryland), Morocco, and the UK.

Other fossil specimens

See all

Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix

Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea

fossil

Sedimentary Outcrop (Sandstone/Shale)

Sedimentary bedrock formation (variable composition)

sedimentary

Chert with Fossil Brachiopod

Microcrystalline Quartz (SiO2) with Calcitic Brachiopod inclusion

sedimentary

Fossiliferous Limestone

Fossiliferous Calcilutite / Biomicrite

sedimentary

Fossiliferous Limestone

Biogenic Limestone with Brachiopod/Crinoid fragments

sedimentary

Fossilized Crinoid Stem in Limestone

Crinoidea (Class) in Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) matrix

fossil