fossil

Fossilized Shark Tooth

Chondrichthyes (class) fossilized tooth

Hardness varies around 5-7 depending on the mineral replacement (often silica or apatite), color ranges from brown, tan, grey to black, luster is dull to vitreous where polished or preserved, crystal structure is microcrystalline or amorphous fossil cast.

Identified August 3, 2026More fossil →

Explore Fossilized 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

Formation & geological history

Formed through permineralization where minerals gradually replace the original organic material of the shark tooth over millions of years, typically found in marine sedimentary rock layers from the Paleozoic to Cenozoic eras.

Uses & applications

Valuable for fossil collecting, educational displays, jewelry, and paleontological research.

Geological facts

Sharks lose thousands of teeth in their lifetimes, making teeth the most common shark fossil found worldwide. Some ancient species like Megalodon produced teeth over seven inches long.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified by the characteristic triangular shape, serrated edges (in many species), root structure, and dense composition. Often found in riverbeds, coastal cliffs, and ancient marine sediment exposures.

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

Fossilized Crinoid Stem in Limestone

Crinoidea (Class) in Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) matrix

fossil

Fossiliferous Limestone

Limestone with embedded fossil cross-section

sedimentary

Fossiliferous Limestone with Crinoid stems

Limestone (CaCO3) containing Crinoidea fossils

sedimentary