Megalodon Tooth
Image: James St. John (CC BY 2.0)
Mineral NameMegalodon Tooth
Chemical FormulaCa₅(PO₄)₃(OH,F,Cl)
Mohs Hardness5
Crystal Systemhexagonal
Streak Colorwhite to light brown
Cleavagenone
Fractureconchoidal to uneven
Specific Gravity3
Colorstan, brown, black, gray
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityOffshore North Carolina, USA
Mineral GroupBiogenic Phosphate
Usescollector's item, scientific study, jewelry
Associated Mineralsquartz, clay minerals, calcite, glauconite
Rarityuncommon
Description
A large, triangular fossil shark tooth featuring a tan-brown blade with visible striations, a distinct dark brown to black bourlette, and a textured, dark brown to gray root.
Geological Context
Megalodon teeth are fossilized remains found in marine sedimentary deposits, primarily from the Miocene and Pliocene epochs, preserved within sandstones, limestones, and clays after the shark's death.
