Pricing a great white shark tooth is not arbitrary, but it is multifactorial. Six attributes do most of the work, and each interacts with the others. A 1.5″ tooth with perfect serrations and pre-ban provenance can outsell a 2.2″ tooth with a chipped edge and no documentation. The reverse is also true. Understanding the factors lets you make sense of price ranges that otherwise seem inconsistent.
Size
Slant height is the standard measurement, taken from the highest point of the root to the tip of the crown. The market thresholds are roughly: under 1.5″ (entry), 1.5″ to 2.0″ (mid), 2.0″ to 2.5″ (upper-tier), and above 2.5″ (rare). The largest modern great white teeth approach 3″ and command sharply higher prices because they signal a large adult specimen.
Position
Anterior teeth from the upper jaw are the most desirable because they are the tallest and most symmetrical. Lateral and posterior teeth read as smaller and asymmetrical, and they trade at lower price points. Lower jaw teeth tend to be slightly smaller than their upper counterparts. A seller who can verify position adds value to the listing.
Condition
Grade A means complete root, intact serrations on both edges, no restoration. Grade B accepts minor edge wear, a small chip near the tip, or a single shoulder restoration with disclosure. Grade C accepts more substantial restoration. The grade jump from B to A frequently doubles the price.
Color
Modern teeth in their original creamy ivory are most prized. Pre-ban specimens that have been displayed in dry environments for decades sometimes carry a faint warm patina that the market reads as authentic and adds modest premium. Bleached teeth (chemically lightened) are devalued.
Provenance
This is where the spread is widest. A modern tooth without provenance is worth what its size and condition allow. A modern tooth with documented pre-ban origin — placed in a private collection in the 1970s or 1980s, with that history clearly recorded — can command a 50% to 100% premium over an undocumented equivalent. A documented modern channel (research salvage, regulated take) sits in the middle.
Rarity Factors
Beyond the four standard attributes, certain teeth carry rarity premiums: unusual locality color, exceptional symmetry, a dramatic feeding-wear pattern, or a known dive-site provenance with photo documentation. These are smaller adjustments but they matter at the top of the market.
Working the Framework
When evaluating a listing, walk through the six factors and price each one mentally. The asking price should make sense as a sum of those parts. If it doesn’t, ask the seller to explain what they’re pricing for. A reputable dealer will walk you through their reasoning.