fossil

Fossilized Shark Tooth

Chondrichthyes tooth

Hardness: 5-6 (due to mineral replacement by apatite/phosphate), Color: Dark brown to black, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal structure: Microcrystalline, Cleavage: None, Specific gravity: 2.7-3.0

Identified August 4, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5-6 (due to mineral replacement by apatite/phosphate), Color: Dark brown to black, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal structure: Microcrystalline, Cleavage: None, Specific gravity: 2.7-3.0

Formation & geological history

Formed through the process of permineralization where minerals replace the original organic material of the shark tooth over millions of years. Typically found in marine sedimentary deposits ranging from the Cretaceous to Cenozoic periods.

Uses & applications

Used in fossil collecting, educational displays, jewelry making, and paleo-historical research.

Geological facts

Sharks lose thousands of teeth in a lifetime, making shark teeth one of the most common fossils found in marine sediment. The dark color is typically due to the absorption of minerals like iron and phosphate from the surrounding sediment during fossilization.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified by its distinctive triangular or dagger-like shape, often with serrated edges and a visible root structure. Commonly found in riverbeds, coastal cliffs, and quarry sites known for marine fossils.