Pyritized Carboniferous Shark Tooth?

[Fossilcollector]

This is from a batch of carboniferous shark teeth I picked up at MAPS last week. I only noticed it tonight. It appears to be pyritized....

It's a Symmorium from Indiana.

How do you test for pyrite? Could it be the result of some other coloring? It's quite metallic and heavy.

What's really funny is I keep picturing a shark dentist making a gold/platinum fillling for a shark with a missing tooth... Haha.

-YvW

[Frank Menser]

Nice tooth! It sure does look pyritised. To my experience pyrite has not proven to have magnetic properties, but the appearance and weight can be considered good indicators. I would not fool around with too many tests on it as some pyrite/marcasite can be unstable and break down upon exposure to something as simple as moisture. I lost some brachs from Texas that way.

[Guest Nicholas]

Seems to be pyritized to me, I suggest handling it as little as possible.

[ebrocklds]

it could be possible that they have "cleaned" it witha brass brush. which will often leave that look. many ammonites from europe have the same treatment.

Brock

[JohnJ]

it could be possible that they have "cleaned" it witha brass brush. which will often leave that look. many ammonites from europe have the same treatment.

Brock

I agree with Brock. Check for other evidence it may have been buffed with a brass wheel before passing judgment. Study the surrounding matrix.