How we size and grade a tooth
Size, condition and color all change what a tooth is worth. This page explains each one so you can shop with confidence.
What A+, A, B and C mean
Grades describe condition. They are a guide, and each listing has photos and a note.
| Grade | Serrations | Tip | Bourlette | Root | Enamel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | Sharp and complete along both edges | Intact and pointed | Full and well defined | Complete, no repair | Glossy, no chips |
| A | Mostly sharp, tiny wear in spots | Intact | Clear | Complete, minor surface wear | Glossy, very small flaws |
| B | Worn or partly missing | Slightly rounded or small chip | Visible but softer | May have chips or small repairs | Some dull areas |
| C | Mostly worn smooth | Chipped or worn | Faint | Chips or repair likely | Dull, with flaws |
Size and typical price
We measure along the slant, from the tip of the tooth to the lowest point of the root. Bigger teeth are much rarer, so price climbs fast.
Ruler in inches, 1 to 6. Colored bars match the size bands below.
Parts of a megalodon tooth
Simplified drawing, root at the top and tip at the bottom, the way an upper tooth sits in the jaw.
- Tip. The point of the crown. A whole tip is a sign of a better grade.
- Serrations. The tiny teeth along the edges of the blade, like a steak knife.
- Blade. The flat triangular body of the tooth.
- Bourlette. The darker band between the crown and the root. Learn more in our articles.
- Root. The base that held the tooth in the jaw.
- Lobes. The two arms of the root, one on each side.
Why teeth come in different colors
A shark tooth starts out pale. Over millions of years, minerals in the ground soak into it and change its color. The soil, water and rock around the tooth decide what shade it ends up as.
Black
Iron and manganese in oxygen-poor mud or water. Common in Florida.
Gray
A mix of minerals, often from river gravel and clay.
Tan
Sandy or phosphate-rich ground. Typical of Moroccan teeth.
Blue
Less common. Certain minerals in the ground tint the enamel blue-gray.
Color does not mean a tooth is better or worse. It tells you where the tooth lay for those millions of years.