Impressive U/W shark tooth diving video

[divematt]

Okay, I believe you, but 30 miles offshore and there's your problem....preemo teeth collector's want have to be in great condition, the best place to find them is fresh or brackish water. The salt destroys the enamel and all you have left is a rock shaped like a sharks tooth. Even with the enamel, they have to have good serrations.

Although the teeth are not in great condition, they're not all that bad. I'd agree none of my teeth are museum or collector quality (grade 9 or 10). And salt water does NOT destroy the enamel an any way. The teeth that I find in the smaller range (under 4 inches) seem to have much better serrations and near perfect enamel. The larger ones, sometimes are banged up, have feeding damage, and other problems. However the salinity of the water has nothing to do with enamel erosion. The better looking teeth are found under the silt when you first find a tooth on the top. They seem to get better in quality in condition as they get smaller. I'm no expert, but had no trouble selling 8 of these teeth last Christmas for $500.00 for gifts. None of these teeth were over 4 1/2 inches.

I'm thinking of coming down there this weekend to that Shark Tooth Festival. What's that all about? Anyone want to tell me where I can dive down there and see what kind of teeth you guys come back with?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[NOVIZWHIZ]

I never said the salt has anything to do with the enamel erosion, nor did I say the salt destroys the enamel...the salts will work there way under the enamel and as the tooth dries, the salts will seperate the enamel from the tooth. The enamel will literally peel off in strips. The enamel is fine, just isn't attached to the tooth any more.

 

[NOVIZWHIZ]

OOPS! Double post...sorry!

 

[Tamas]

Link isn't working?!

 

[divematt]

I never said the salt has anything to do with the enamel erosion, nor did I say the salt destroys the enamel...the salts will work there way under the enamel and as the tooth dries, the salts will seperate the enamel from the tooth. The enamel will literally peel off in strips. The enamel is fine, just isn't attached to the tooth any more.

What do you mean you didn't say the salt destroys the enamel. Here it is in your own post word for word.

"Okay, I believe you, but 30 miles offshore and there's your problem....preemo teeth collector's want have to be in great condition, the best place to find them is fresh or brackish water. The salt destroys the enamel and all you have left is a rock shaped like a sharks tooth. Even with the enamel, they have to have good serrations."

Now again I'll say that the salt has nothing to do with destroying the enamel. I have 14 million year old teeth with beautiful enamel found 107 feet deep off of the coast of North Carolina and after coming back from the Venice Shark Tooth Festival, I talked to many that have nice teeth with nice enamel from Venice. The last time I checked the Gulf was salt water.

 

[reefsavers.org]

I repiled to this with hopes it would get bumped up to give some of our "toothers here something to think about.It sure will be a long drive but i hear its better "toothing"....

 

[dutchfin]

I was told about 3 yrs ago about a shelf that broke off in @ 80-100 ft of water, 25 miles or so, off the coast of the carolina's, that was supposed to be producing Megs like Santee-Cooper was 30 yrs ago. Sure would explain the visibilty ......

 

[Divewolf]

Sorry Skipper I got to disagree with you on this one. Salt has nothing to do with damage to the enamal or the amount of peel. Most of the rivers we dive arround here and find perfect museum grade teeth acctually have a higher salt content then the open atlantic. I can also tell you that, that friend you mentioned once told me about fossil ledges including one where he claimed to have found a most impresive array of mastodon teeth. The problem with these types of beds is that they are very short lasting as there is no natural turnover of the bottom, thus, once the bed is cleaned out it is cleaned out for a very long time. However if this captain has found a long run of this ledge it might last his business for a good while. I do believe the video as shown is a composite of severel very good dives and may include some plants but as you said it is an add and I might be willing to try it out myself once before calling it an outright fake.

 

[Sloth]

Some people from the LDS went on this dive about 2 weeks ago. The teeth I saw soaking in vinegar a week ago were nice size and in good shape.

I went back again this week and looked at some of the teeth that are now dried and I was impressed with the quality. Most copper river teeth I've seen all have some wear to them from all the current, chipped points, cracked roots, ect. These teeth were in good shape, the roots in particular were in nice condition. The bigger teeth did seem to lack serration but the ones under 3inches had some nice serration to them. The enamel was about the same quality as copper river teeth.

I hope I can get a chance to go soon. Finding teeth in good viz just seems to good to be true.

 

[divematt]

Megalodon Shark Tooth Divers Needed

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I have some openings for Megalodon tooth dive trips for these dates. Call for details. The boat is the "Spearit" out of Topsail Beach, NC and Tom Collins is the captain. Aug. 20 and 21 (2) spots open. Sept. 10 and 11 (1) spot open. Sept 24 and 25 (1) spot open. Oct 8 and 9 (3) spots open. Nov 5 and 6 (4) spots open. Call me at 704-896-8464.

Thanks,
Matt O'Neill
20309 Northport Dr.
Cornelius, NC 28031
704-896-8464 home
704-516-4454 cell

Video of one of the dives
http://www.charlestondiving.com/pics/teeth.wmv