Why and How are Shark Teeth Polished?

Shark teeth are polished to add value. When polished, the shine contrast, and color can be very attractive.
We have many collectors who collect Polished Megalodon. Through the decades they have always held their value to a commercial (whole tooth) Megalodon tooth. Most customers who buy Commercial commercial polished or natural teeth are looking for an affordable tooth that’s attractive to the eye. Serious collectors are looking and willing to pay high dollars for perfect unaltered teeth.

Most shark teeth are polished to remove natural imperfections. In the above photo, the 1st row has a tip that is missing. In the 2nd row, these teeth had enamel peel In the 3rd row the teeth had chips from natural wear or feeding damage. Not all teeth that are collected are whole. Some teeth will have peeled enamel, A broken tip, or feeding damage along the edges. People ask if polished teeth are natural.
The answer is yes, the tooth is all natural as there are no added parts. The polishing work is not natural and is done by a lapidary machine. The shark tooth is basically sanded down below the enamel.

When polishing shark teeth you use a lapidary machine. A lapidary machine usually has carbide or diamond-embedded wheels with a constant feed of water. These wheels come in different grits like sandpaper that you find at a hardware store. As the shark tooth passes through each grit the tooth begins to shine. You will also occasionally find that there are natural vibrant colors under the enamel or a beautiful contrast between the root and the polished surface. This process is very expensive and time-consuming to learn properly. If using Diamond wheels it can cost over $200 per wheel and they do wear out fast if you don’t have the experience.