Real-world ID tips so you can spot the difference at a glance.
Florida and Morocco both serve up wonderful shark teeth—but they’re shaped by very different histories. Florida teeth are tumbled by surf and rivers; Moroccan teeth are often mined from ancient phosphate beds inland. Different journeys leave different fingerprints. Let’s read them like pros.
Fast tells (30-second scan)
- Color & sheen: Florida teeth skew gray, charcoal, or coffee-brown with a soft satin polish from waves. Moroccan teeth trend tan to butterscotch with a drier, matte enamel.
- Wear pattern: Florida pieces often show rounded serrations and beach-softened tips. Moroccan examples keep sharper edges but may show quarry chips at the root.
- Matrix & context: Florida finds arrive solo in sand or shell hash. Moroccan teeth frequently carry a bit of chalky matrix or appear remarkably uniform—many from the same layer.
Why they look different
Florida: Gulf surf and river transport act like a rock tumbler. Enamel glows, edges mellow, and roots (more porous than enamel) darken first. Tidal cycles stain and polish over time, so a Venice Beach lemon tooth can look worlds apart from a Peace River sand tiger—yet both carry that water-worn “Florida finish.”
Morocco: Many come from the phosphate mines of the Ouled Abdoun Basin. Specimens are freed from sediment with tools, not surf, so enamel stays crisper, lighter, and less polished. Uniform color within dealer lots is common because pieces were excavated from the same horizon.
Spotting prep & repairs (buy smarter)
- Resin shine line: A suspicious glossy band along the root–enamel seam can signal a repair.
- Color jump cuts: Root and crown tones that don’t “belong together” often mean a reassembly.
- Too perfect: Perfect symmetry and untouched serrations—especially on large teeth—deserve a closer look with side lighting.
What this means for collectors
Neither origin is “better.” Florida teeth carry the ocean’s patina and a treasure-hunt story. Moroccan teeth offer species variety and crisp morphology. Know the tells, buy what you love, and insist on honest labeling.
Arthur’s note: “Provenance is the sailor’s compass—know where your tooth has sailed from, and you’ll never feel lost at the counter.”