How Minerals Turn Ancient Shark Teeth Red, Gold, Brown, Blue, and Black

Before anyone could snap the, study or put Megalodon teeth on a shelf it was doing something less tranquil. The tooth was a part of the largest predatory fish ever be found in the oceans of Earth. The tooth was then lost. That’s the end of it for the majority of items. For a dinosaur fossil this could be the beginning of a new story.

Fossil Driven’s specimens have gone through a geological adventure which is not measured in decades or years however, it is measured in millions of years. This process can alter your perception of the fossil. It’s not just looking at an interesting object. You’re seeing the physical evidence of a past world.

Image credit: fossildriven.com

First Station: An Ancient Ocean

Megalodon’s teeth come taken from West Java in Indonesia. Around 20 million year ago warm marine habitats were common in the dry zones that we have today. Megalodons as well as a variety of different marine species, resided in the seas of prehistoric times.

Megalodon also shed teeth in a similar way like modern sharks. Some of those teeth subsequently settled into marine sediments. If the conditions are right burial, they could be protected until they are fossilized.

Then geology took over

The following chapter went by incredibly slow. Sediments began to accumulate. Minerals interacted and buried material. Geological forces shaped the landscape and submerged environments eventually became part the land we live on. The reasons for the differences in color of fossil teeth are what shoppers will see when they inspect Megalodon teeth available for auction.

Indonesian specimens that are found in the West Java’s Miocene Bentang Formation typically yellow, golden, brown or red. They can also be blue, red, or black. They can even show various shades on one tooth. The surrounding mineral environment contributes to the appearance that a specimen is able to develop during its lengthy burial. It is therefore impossible to reproduce in mass quantities through nature. Each fossil tells its own geological tale.

Discovery Begins Another Chapter

A fossil which was hidden for many millions of years is discovered. The identification and documentation of fossils are becoming crucial.

When collectors browse authentic megalodon teeth for sale, they aren’t only evaluating appearance. That’s why they need to be aware of geological preservation, locality, age and repairs.

Natural wear doesn’t erase the fossil’s past. It’s possible that a worn edge or imperfect root and a slack serration are all part of the specimen’s past. It is crucial to accurately reflect the condition of the item.

Fossil Driven brings over 13 years of fossil identification expertise in this process. They also work with established fossil hunters and suppliers. When possible, specimens are described and examined with the most relevant details.

The Fossil is likely to reach the hands of someone.

There are a variety of reasons people purchase fossils. Many people create a meticulously classed collection. Some are looking to create a dramatic conversation piece. Children who are fascinated by prehistoric animals may receive their first fossil which sparks a lifelong passion for paleontology.

Megalodon’s teeth are just one way to get into that world. Trilobites, dinosaur molars, and ammonites are among numerous fossils that are a part of Earth’s old past.

The most satisfying part is knowing that it’s true

A replica can recreate the general form of a prehistoric tooth. It cannot reproduce its history. The Megalodon teeth were discovered in prehistoric animals who lived in a totally different habitat as we do today. They adapted to changes in the geology and were buried for millions of years and eventually found.

This is the reason why authenticity is essential. When you hold a real fossil the object you’re holding has successfully made an almost unimaginable trip through time. The display case the latest destination on its journey.

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