fossil

Shark Tooth Fossil

Chondrichthyes (class) fossilized tooth

Hardness varies around 5 on the Mohs scale due to mineral replacement (apatite/phosphate minerals); color ranges from black, dark brown, grey, to tan depending on the minerals in the sediment where it was buried; luster is vitreous to dull; crystal structure is typically microcrystalline apatite.

Identified August 3, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the process of permineralization or replacement, where minerals from surrounding sediment replace the original organic material of the tooth over thousands to millions of years, typically dating from the Cretaceous period to the Neogene.

Uses & applications

Prized by fossil collectors, used in educational displays, and sometimes set into jewelry.

Geological facts

Sharks lose thousands of teeth in their lifetimes, making their teeth some of the most common vertebrate fossils found worldwide.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by their triangular shape, smooth or serrated cutting edges, and distinct root structure; commonly found in river beds, beaches, and fossiliferous sedimentary rock layers.

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