sedimentary
Mammoth Tooth Fragment
Mammuthus primigenius (fossilized dentin and enamel)
Hardness: 5 (fossilized enamel is harder); Color: Tan, brown, and grey banding; Luster: Dull to waxy; Structure: Parallel plates of enamel, dentin, and cementum; Specific Gravity: Approx 2.7-3.0.
- Hardness
- 5 (fossilized enamel is harder)
- Color
- Tan, brown, and grey banding
- Luster
- Dull to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 (fossilized enamel is harder); Color: Tan, brown, and grey banding; Luster: Dull to waxy; Structure: Parallel plates of enamel, dentin, and cementum; Specific Gravity: Approx 2.7-3.0.
Formation & geological history
Formed through permineralization of Pleistocene megafauna teeth, typically found in riverbeds, permafrost, or coastal sediments dating from 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago.
Uses & applications
Used for scientific study, museum displays, high-end knife handles, jewelry, and private collections.
Geological facts
Mammoths evolved specialized 'washboard' teeth to grind tough tundra grasses. A single mammoth tooth could weigh over 10 pounds and they grew six sets throughout their lifetime.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for distinct parallel 'plates' or ridges. Found in the Northern Hemisphere, specifically Siberia, Alaska, and the North Sea. Collectors should look for patterns that resemble stacked layers of cardboard.
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