The graded nature of crystal structure, texture, and microhardness of human enamel has been characterized by grazing-incidence synchrotron radiation diffraction and Vickers indentation. Results show that the composition of tooth enamel consists mainly of calcium apatite or hydroxyapatite (RAP). The RAP crystals formed near the occlusal surface are aligned approximately orthogonal to each other between the axial and occlusal sections. In addition, the tooth enamel has been shown to be a hierarchical graded biomaterial with a distinct gradation in crystallinity, texture, crystallite size, and hardness, which is somewhat akin to that of the fibrous microstructures found in natural plants. A "graded-interface" approach is proposed as a biomimetic model for designing new dental or restorative materials as well as for joining of dissimilar materials.