Jaws’ impact went beyond the box office and into the jewelry box with the beachiest-look of the 70s: shark tooth necklaces. 

Of course, it’s not such an arduous process to get a shark tooth necklace.  For most of us, it included a trip to a surf or souvenir shop.  But for those actually making the necklace, it probably wasn’t too bad either.  All sharks’ teeth are loosely attached by tendons in their jaw making them easier to come out as new teeth are continually coming in.  In fact, during its life time, a shark could shed as many as 20,000 teeth!  That’s a lot of necklaces to be made!  Most teeth only stick around in a shark’s jaw for about 20 to 40 days, keeping their pearly whites super sharp – no extractions for this piece of fashion.

So, for all that dental effort, the shark has given humanity a look that’s far less wussy than the little puka shell necklace, and for that we thank them.