A fossilized shark tooth is a biological remain permineralized over millions of years, often preserving the serrated edge and enamel of the original tooth. It is commonly found in riverbeds, coastal sediments, and phosphate mines, in colors ranging from tan to jet black depending on the minerals in the surrounding sediment.
Is this fossilized shark tooth?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch fossilized shark tooth with a known reference. Fossilized Shark Tooth sits at Mohs 3-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fossilized Shark Tooth leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fossilized Shark Tooth typically shows a dull to vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, gray, brown, tan, cream.
- 5Look at form & habitTypical habit: triangular.
Often found alongside fossilized shark tooth
Minerals reported to co-occur with fossilized shark tooth. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Mohs hardness
- 3-5
- Density
- 2.5-3.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull to Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal habit
- Triangular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Jewelry, Educational
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Deposits
Where rockhounds find fossilized shark tooth
3 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Peace River, Florida
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Aurora, North Carolina
- Maryland Cliffs
- Morocco
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary deposits country, the host setting where fossilized shark tooth typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a triangular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Texas, South Carolina. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify fossilized shark tooth?+
Where is fossilized shark tooth found?+
Can I find fossilized shark tooth in the United States?+
What minerals are found with fossilized shark tooth?+
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Find fossilized shark tooth on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
