fossil

Polished fossil tooth or jaw fragment

Indeterminate vertebrate dental/bone fossil; likely mineralized enamel and dentine

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Cream-white, glossy to waxy surface with orange-brown iron-oxide staining and irregular, tooth-like lobes. Enamel/dentine hardness is commonly about 5–7 Mohs; the specimen appears silicified or otherwise mineralized, but species identification requires microscopy and provenance.

Identified August 23, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

A fossilized tooth or jaw element formed when vertebrate tissue was buried and progressively mineralized during diagenesis; age cannot be determined from the photograph and may range from Cenozoic to older deposits.

Uses & applications

Primarily a collectible, teaching specimen, or jewelry/carving material; not suitable for structural use. Value depends strongly on confirmed species, completeness, locality, and preparation quality.

Geological facts

The shape suggests a heavily worn or partial tooth/jaw element rather than a conventional rock. Orange coloration commonly reflects iron oxides deposited through pores and fractures during fossilization.

Field identification & locations

Inspect for enamel-like glossy caps, porous bone texture, growth structures, and a sharp boundary between enamel and dentine; test only minimally because hardness and acid tests can damage it. Fossil teeth and bone are common in marine and terrestrial sedimentary deposits worldwide.