Shark teeth are fossilized remains composed primarily of apatite minerals that replaced the original calcium phosphate structure over millions of years. Collectors typically hunt for them in sedimentary riverbeds, beaches, and phosphate mines where prehistoric layers are exposed. They are prized for their varied shapes and sizes, ranging from small, sharp serrated teeth to the massive, palm-sized teeth of the extinct Megalodon.
Is this shark teeth?
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 shark teeth with a known reference. Shark Teeth 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. Shark Teeth leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Shark Teeth typically shows a dull to waxy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brown, gray, white.
- 5Look at form & habitTypical habit: triangular, serrated, or conical blades.
Often found alongside shark teeth
Minerals reported to co-occur with shark teeth. 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 Waxy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal habit
- Triangular, Serrated, Or Conical Blades
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Decorative, Jewelry
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Deposits
- Typical price
- $1-50 common specimens, $500+ for large Megalodon teeth
Where rockhounds find shark teeth
6 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Florida, USA
- South Carolina, USA
- Morocco
- Chile
- Maryland, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary deposits country — that is the host setting where shark teeth typically forms. If you start seeing phosphate minerals, calcite, sedimentary matrix in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a triangular, serrated, or conical blades habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Florida, Maryland, Mississippi — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find shark teeth on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
