Color

Both of these teeth are colored by minerals in the phosphate deposits in Southcentral Florida. A wide range of colors are produced, though beiges and lighter earth-tones are common. Based on my observations in the phosphate mine cut, the black-enamel teeth occur in clumps of gummy phosphatic clay. The light-colored teeth are found in the less-cohesive phosphate. I don't know the geo-chemistry that produces these colors.