Frequently Asked Questions
Most questions we receive fall into one of seven categories. Use the navigation below to jump to the section you need, or scroll the full page if you are getting oriented.
Authenticity
Are these real shark teeth?
Yes. Every tooth and jaw on SharkDr.com is examined under magnification, photographed across all surfaces, measured with calibrated calipers, and warranted in writing. Each piece carries a lifetime authenticity guarantee.
How do you authenticate a tooth?
We examine enamel structure, serration geometry, root morphology, and patina or matrix coloration consistent with the claimed era and locality. We confirm the supplier's documentation where available and disclose any gaps. Where a piece has been restored, the restoration is identified, described, and priced into the listing.
What if a piece I bought turns out not to be authentic?
Return it for a full refund of the purchase price under the lifetime authenticity guarantee. The guarantee has no expiration and is transferrable once to a private successor. See the Returns Policy for the process.
Sourcing
Where do your teeth and jaws come from?
Documented private collections, settled estates, and operators with traceable chains of custody, all within the United States. Modern great white material is almost entirely pre-protection inventory dispersed from long-held private collections, with a small share from documented modern channels (scientific bycatch, salvage from naturally deceased animals within research programs). Fossils come from licensed operators on private land or from documented localities where collection is permitted. Read the Ethical Sourcing & Documentation page for the full position.
What does pre-ban mean?
Pre-ban refers to teeth and jaws that were sourced from great white sharks before modern state and federal protections came into force. The most common reference points are California's 1994 protection of great whites at the state level and CITES Appendix II in 2004. Pre-ban material comes from collections and estates assembled before those frameworks. Each pre-ban listing flags the era explicitly.
Why is documentation sometimes partial?
Many of the long-held private collections that feed the current market were assembled in eras where formal documentation was rarer than it is today. We record whatever sourcing chain the prior owner provides — often substantial, sometimes partial — and we mark the gaps plainly. A piece with full documentation is more valuable than the same piece with partial documentation, and the listing reflects that.
Legal
Are great white shark teeth legal to own in the United States?
In general, yes. Possession and private sale of legitimately sourced great white teeth and jaws is legal in the United States. The two practical considerations are sourcing (the material must not be from prohibited modern fishing — which is why we sell only pre-ban and documented modern material) and transfer (international transfer is restricted under CITES Appendix II, which is why we are U.S.-only). For specific cases, consult a U.S. attorney with wildlife and collectibles experience. See the Are Great White Shark Teeth Legal to Own? page for fuller coverage.
Are fossil shark teeth legal?
Yes, in all U.S. states. Fossil shark teeth are mineralized geological specimens, not protected wildlife. The practical exceptions are localities on federal land where collection is restricted (most National Parks, certain BLM lands, and some Indian reservations); every fossil on this site is sourced from private land or from licensed commercial operators.
Shipping
Do you ship internationally?
No. SharkDr.com ships within the United States only across all categories. We do not work with freight forwarders or international addresses. See the U.S. Sales Only page for the full reasoning.
How long does shipping take?
Most teeth and pendants ship within one to three business days; jaws ship within five to ten business days because each piece is crated to order. Standard ground transit to U.S. addresses runs three to seven business days from shipment. Tracking is sent by email when the package leaves the operator.
How is the package insured?
Every order is insured for its full purchase price. Orders over $500 require signature on delivery; orders over $1,500 are held for a brief operator review before shipment. Jaws ship via specialist crated freight with full freight insurance.
Inquiries (high-value jaws)
Why do some jaws say 'Inquiry' instead of having an Add-to-Cart button?
Inquiry-only jaws are reserved for private placement — typically the rarest, largest, or highest-provenance pieces — where we want to confirm fit between the buyer and the specimen before quoting. Submit an inquiry through the Inquire About a Jaw page; we reply within one business day with a private dossier, additional photography, video walkaround, condition notes, and a quote.
How does payment work for an inquiry-based purchase?
Once you and the operator agree on terms, we create a Shopify draft order with the agreed price, custom shipping line, and applicable U.S. sales tax, and send it as an invoice link. You pay through standard Shopify checkout — Shopify Payments fraud analysis applies, Affirm financing is offered if eligible, and the same lifetime authenticity guarantee applies. Manual payment via wire transfer is also available on request for higher-value placements.
Returns
Can I return a tooth if I change my mind?
Yes, within seven calendar days of delivery. The item must return in the same condition in which it was sent, in original packaging, with the certificate of authenticity. Outbound shipping is non-refundable; insured-return shipping is at the buyer's expense unless the return is our error. See the Returns Policy for the full process.
What if the item is damaged in transit?
Contact us within five business days. Insurance covers transit damage; we file the claim with the carrier on your behalf and refund or reship at our discretion once the claim is processed.
Sold Gallery
Why do you keep sold pieces visible?
Three reasons. First, trust — buyers can see that real specimens flow through the site in real numbers across years. Second, scarcity — the legitimate market is finite, and the public archive is part of that record. Third, pricing context — buyers evaluating a current listing can compare to prior placements to understand era, size, and condition signals.
Why are some sold prices hidden?
Some buyers prefer their purchases not appear with a public price. We respect that as a default. A subset of listings — primarily entry-tier pieces and select educational placements — display the final price.
Care and display
How should I display a great white shark tooth or jaw?
For loose teeth, a stable display stand or a velvet-lined display case in a low-humidity environment is sufficient. For jaws, three considerations: stable mounting base, controlled humidity (40–60% relative humidity), and indirect lighting that avoids prolonged UV exposure. The How to Display and Care for Shark Teeth page covers care in more detail.