sedimentary

Fossilized Shark Tooth

Carcharhinus sp. (likely Bull or Requiem shark family)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 5 (Enamel is Mohs 5); Color: Gray cusp with tan/beige root; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Biological apatite replaced by minerals; Shape: Triangular with wide root

Hardness: 5 (Enamel is Mohs 5)
Color: Gray cusp with tan/beige root
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified June 15, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5 (Enamel is Mohs 5); Color: Gray cusp with tan/beige root; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Biological apatite replaced by minerals; Shape: Triangular with wide root

Formation & geological history

Formed through permineralization where minerals like calcium phosphate and silica replace organic material over millions of years, typically found in marine sedimentary layers from the Miocene or Pliocene epochs.

Uses & applications

Primarily for fossil collecting, educational displays, and occasionally used in wire-wrapped jewelry or curios.

Geological facts

Sharks can lose tens of thousands of teeth in a lifetime. Unlike bone, shark teeth fossilize easily because of their high mineral content in the enamel.

Field identification & locations

Identify by the distinct V-shaped root and shiny enamel cusp. Often found at beach tide lines or in phosphate mines in regions like Florida, North Carolina, or Morocco.