fossil

Fossilized Shark Tooth

Chondrichthyes (Class) - likely Carcharodon or Otodus genus

Hardness: 5 (Enamel); Color: Tan, brown, or gray due to permineralization; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Amorphous to cryptocrystalline hydroxyapatite; Cleavage: None; Shape: Triangular with a robust root.

Hardness: 5 (Enamel)
Color: Tan, brown, or gray due to permineralization
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified July 20, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through permineralization over millions of years (typically Eocene to Miocene epochs). The organic material is replaced by minerals from surrounding sediment after the tooth falls to the ocean floor.

Uses & applications

Used primarily for fossil collecting, educational purposes, and occasionally in jewelry as pendants.

Geological facts

Sharks can lose tens of thousands of teeth in a lifetime. Identifying the specific species often requires seeing the serrations and the exact shape of the 'shoulders' of the root.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its distinct triangular shape and hard, enamel-like surface. Often found in coastal beach areas or riverbeds where ancient marine sediment is exposed.

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