Making Waves with Shark Tooth Necklaces
Swimming the seas since 400+ million years ago, the shark has become the ocean’s apex predator, primarily due to their massive teeth and strong bite. Because of this, shark teeth have fascinated many people and cultures for centuries. Shark tooth necklaces are more than just eye-catching accessories and have been a staple of Hawaiian culture for centuries due to their natural beauty and symbolic meaning.
What is Special About Shark Teeth?
Sharks are a type of animal known as an elasmobranch. This means their skeletons are made from cartilage instead of bone. Therefore, the only part of a shark that can fossilize is the teeth, making the teeth extremely important for studying extinct sharks like the megalodon or understanding how modern-day sharks like the great white shark live.
What Does the Shark Tooth Symbolize?
With lore originating in ancient Hawaiian and Polynesian mythology, the shark tooth is said to be a talisman that will protect its wearer from the dangers of the ocean. The legend states that a young Hawaiian warrior was battling a sea god and emerged victorious from the sea wearing a shark tooth necklace. The shark tooth has grown to symbolize other things, including:
- Good luck
- Strength and masculinity
- Adaptability
Shark Tooth Pendants at Whaler’s Locker
Whaler’s Locker is proud to offer authentic shark tooth pendants and necklaces in a variety of sizes and designs. Every piece is one-of-a-kind so that you can bring home a unique, timeless style. Some of the shark tooth necklaces we feature are:
- Mako shark teeth
- Great white shark teeth
- Megalodon shark teeth fossils
What is the Mako Shark?
Mako sharks are the fastest in the ocean, reaching speeds of up to 46 miles per hour. While this speed is reserved for short bursts that help them capture prey, they can still leisurely swim around at around 31 miles per hour.
There are two species of mako sharks: the longfin mako shark and the shortfin mako shark. The longfin mako shark has longer pectoral fins and slimmer bodies, which make them slower and less active than the shortfin.
Why are Mako Shark Teeth Popular?
Mako shark teeth come in various shapes and sizes, but they all feature a straight cutting edge in place of serrations, which is said to be more efficient at cutting through prey. Additionally, the coloring of mako shark teeth differs from that of other shark species. They can be found in shades from white to dark brown or black, thanks to their high iron content. This gives them a unique look and makes them ideal for a shark tooth pendant.
3 of our Favorite Mako Shark Tooth Necklaces
Our collection of mako shark tooth necklaces is vast and impressive! If you are looking for a recommendation, here are a few of our favorites:
- Ombré fossil mako shark tooth pendant: This pendant features a rich brown root with an ombré cream blade for a dazzling blend of colors.
- Brown fossil mako shark pendant: With a coffee-brown root and a two-tone crown of taupe and brown, it’s clear why this shark tooth necklace is so alluring.
- Grey and cream fossil mako tooth pendant: This shark tooth pendant is at least 12 million years old and is sure to draw attention with its marbled grey and cream coloration.
The Great White Shark
Featuring 300 teeth and an extremely powerful jaw made to rip their prey into mouth-sized bites, the great white shark is the world’s largest known predatory fish. They range from 16-20 feet in length and can weigh up to 7,000 pounds!
Great White Shark Teeth
Great white shark teeth have become popular for collectors due to their aesthetically pleasing, sleek, and sharp look. Great white shark tooth necklaces represent the species’ power, agility, and intelligence.
One of our favorite great white shark tooth pendants is sourced from Chile and is estimated to be 5 million years old. It features a sandy brown color and defined serrations along the edges. It is the perfect piece for any shark lover in your life!
Discovering the Megalodon
Weighing 50 to 75 tons, the megalodon shark ruled the seas roughly 23 to 3 million years ago. Although it went extinct by the end of the Pliocene epoch, it still fascinates scientists and marine life lovers today. They were the largest fish ever to exist and are an estimated three times longer than the great white shark.
Megalodon Shark Teeth
Even with their sheer length and size, the megalodon’s most notable (and terrifying) parts were their teeth. Megalodon teeth are generally 3-5 inches in height, with the largest exceeding 7 inches. To put this into context, the most prominent great white shark teeth are only 2 to 3 inches tall. Their jaws could expand 2 to 4 meters wide, easily big enough to fit two adult people side-by-side.
The teeth of these terrifying creatures have allowed scientists to study evolution and what marine life was like millions of years ago, but they also make extraordinary shark tooth necklaces. We are constantly searching for megalodon teeth to add to our shark tooth jewelry collection.
Our Favorite Megalodon Shark Tooth Necklaces
- Polished megalodon shark tooth pendant: This tooth features dark grey to black coloring with a stunning high polish for a genuinely unique fossil.
- Mottled brown megalodon tooth: The mottled brown root and crown of taupe and yellow make this a beautiful, eye-catching shark tooth pendant.
- Black and slate megalodon shark tooth pendant: The black root and crown of slate grey come together to create a stunning look.
Searching for Shark Teeth
Since sharks consistently lose their teeth and regenerate new ones, it’s easy to find shark teeth in the ocean or washed up on the beach if you know where to look. However, it’s important to note that any teeth in shark tooth necklaces should only come from teeth that have fallen out due to natural causes. It is highly illegal to catch sharks for the use of their teeth or anything else, so make sure you are shopping from a reputable source.
Shark tooth necklaces bring together nature’s strength and beauty for a timeless piece of jewelry. With their strong connection to nature, shark tooth pendants make the perfect Hawaii gift for anyone who appreciates the majesty of the ocean and the gifts that nature provides us.