fossil
Fossilized Shark Tooth
Carcharocles sp. or similar Lamniformes
Hardness: 5 (Apatite); Color: Tan, beige, or golden brown; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Texture: Smooth enameloid blade with a porous root structure. Sharp triangular shape with a slight curve.
- Hardness
- 5 (Apatite)
- Color
- Tan, beige, or golden brown
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 (Apatite); Color: Tan, beige, or golden brown; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Texture: Smooth enameloid blade with a porous root structure. Sharp triangular shape with a slight curve.
Formation & geological history
Formed through permineralization where hydroxyapatite in the tooth is replaced or infused with minerals from surrounding sediment. Typically dates from the Cenozoic era (Eocene to Pliocene, 5 to 50 million years old).
Uses & applications
Primarily for fossil collecting, educational exhibits, and sometimes used in jewelry like necklaces.
Geological facts
Sharks can lose tens of thousands of teeth in a lifetime. Unlike bones, shark skeletons are cartilage and rarely fossilize, meaning teeth are often the only record of prehistoric shark species.
Field identification & locations
Identify by the distinct sharp blade and thick root base. Found in marine sedimentary deposits, often washed up on beaches or in riverbeds. Common in the SE United States (e.g., Florida, South Carolina).
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