sedimentary (fossilized organic matter)

Fossilized Shark Teeth

Carcharhiniformes or Lamniformes species (common mineral: Fluorapatite/Ca5(PO4)3F)

Hardness: 5 on Mohs scale; Color: typically black, grey, tan, or brown depending on mineral replacement; Luster: dull to vitreous (vitreous on enamel); Structure: triangular or needle-like with a distinct root and crown.

Hardness: 5 on Mohs scale
Luster: dull to vitreous (vitreous on enamel)

Identified March 19, 2026More sedimentary (fossilized organic matter) →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through permineralization or replacement where biological calcium phosphate is replaced by surrounding minerals in marine sediments; typically dating from the Cretaceous to the Neogene periods (approx. 100 to 2 million years ago).

Uses & applications

Used in educational science kits, jewelry (pendants/necklaces), and as high-demand collectibles for paleontological study.

Geological facts

Sharks can shed tens of thousands of teeth in a lifetime. Unlike their cartilaginous skeletons which rarely fossilize, the dense enamel of the teeth preserves exceptionally well in the fossil record.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for a cold, hard feel compared to modern bone, a distinct 'V' or 'T' shape root, and serrated or sharp edges. Commonly found in coastal areas, riverbeds, and phosphate mines like those in Florida, Morocco, or South Carolina.

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