sedimentary
Fossilized Shark Tooth
Elasmobranchii fossil (likely Odontaspididae family)
Hardness: 5 (Mohs scale), Color: Creamy white to beige, Luster: Vitreous/Glossy enamel with a dull earthy root, Structure: Triangular blade with a porous root base, Cleavage: None
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 (Mohs scale), Color: Creamy white to beige, Luster: Vitreous/Glossy enamel with a dull earthy root, Structure: Triangular blade with a porous root base, Cleavage: None
Formation & geological history
Formed via permineralization where minerals like calcium phosphate or silica replace organic dental tissue over millions of years; common in marine sedimentary deposits from the Cenozoic era.
Uses & applications
Primarily for paleontological study, educational collections, and jewelry making (wire-wrapped pendants).
Geological facts
Sharks can lose tens of thousands of teeth in a lifetime. Unlike bone, shark skeletons are cartilage and rarely fossilize, making teeth the most common evidence of prehistoric sharks.
Field identification & locations
Identify by the sharp, pointed enamel blade and the distinct, porous root section. Common in coastal regions like Florida, Morocco, and South Carolina.
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