mineral (biogenic replacement)
Fossilized Shark Tooth (Cretaceous to Neogene)
Elasmobranchii dental fossil (likely Squalicorax or similar species)
Hardness: 5 Mohs scale (apatite/enamel). Color: Dark brown to black due to permineralization. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Structure: Triangular/conical shape with distinct serrations or striations; specific gravity: ~3.0.
- Hardness
- 5 Mohs scale (apatite/enamel)
- Color
- Dark brown to black due to permineralization
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 Mohs scale (apatite/enamel). Color: Dark brown to black due to permineralization. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Structure: Triangular/conical shape with distinct serrations or striations; specific gravity: ~3.0.
Formation & geological history
Formed through permineralization where hydroxyapatite in the tooth is replaced by minerals like silica or phosphate over millions of years. This specimen appears to be from the Late Cretaceous to Miocence epochs (approx. 100 to 5 million years ago).
Uses & applications
Primary use is for educational purposes, scientific paleontological study, and as a popular collector's item in the hobbyist market. Small teeth are often used in jewelry pendants.
Geological facts
Sharks can lose tens of thousands of teeth in their lifetime, which is why teeth are the most common shark fossils found. The dark color is a result of the specific minerals present in the sediment where it was buried.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for the triangular form and the 'blade' vs 'root' structure. Common in marine sedimentary deposits, particularly in the Atlantic Coastal Plain of the USA, Morocco, and parts of Europe.
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