Rock Identifier
Fossilized Shark Tooth (Chondrichthyes tooth) — fossil
fossil

Fossilized Shark Tooth

Chondrichthyes tooth

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness varies by mineral replacement (typically Mohs 4-7 if replaced by silica or apatite), color ranges from black and grey to brown depending on sediment burial conditions, luster ranges from dull to vitreous, crystal structure is microcrystalline or amorphous fossil cast/mold.

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Physical properties

Hardness varies by mineral replacement (typically Mohs 4-7 if replaced by silica or apatite), color ranges from black and grey to brown depending on sediment burial conditions, luster ranges from dull to vitreous, crystal structure is microcrystalline or amorphous fossil cast/mold.

Formation & geological history

Formed when a shark's shed or post-mortem tooth was rapidly buried in marine sediment, preventing decay, and over thousands to millions of years, minerals replaced the original organic material. Geological age ranges widely from Paleozoic to Cenozoic eras.

Uses & applications

Used in educational exhibits, fossil collecting, and handcrafted jewelry.

Geological facts

Sharks lose thousands of teeth over a lifetime, making teeth the most common shark fossil found worldwide. Their coloration often reflects the minerals of the sediment layer in which they were fossilized.

Field identification & locations

Found in sedimentary rock layers, riverbeds, and coastal cliffs known for marine deposits. Look for distinctive enamel crowns and root structures, often weathered out of clay or sandstone.

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Bioclastic limestone, composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)

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