fossil

Fossilized Shark Tooth

Elasmobranchii (Class) fossil

Hardness: 5 (Apatite/tooth enamel); Color: Tan, beige, or brown depending on mineral replacement; Luster: Smooth to dull; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: Approx 2.8-3.0

Hardness: 5 (Apatite/tooth enamel)
Color: Tan, beige, or brown depending on mineral replacement
Luster: Smooth to dull

Identified July 6, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5 (Apatite/tooth enamel); Color: Tan, beige, or brown depending on mineral replacement; Luster: Smooth to dull; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: Approx 2.8-3.0

Formation & geological history

Formed through permineralization where hydroxyapatite in the tooth is replaced by minerals like silica or calcite. These typically date from the Cretaceous to Neogene periods.

Uses & applications

Educational collections, jewelry making (pendants), and scientific study of prehistoric marine paleoecology.

Geological facts

Shark teeth are the most common shark fossils because sharks can lose tens of thousands of teeth in a lifetime, and the enamel-coated teeth are harder than the cartilaginous skeleton.

Field identification & locations

Identify by the characteristic triangular shape and smooth, sharp edges. Commonly found in creek beds or coastal beaches with eroding sedimentary layers.