Here at Elizabeth Sarah Collections, we love working with rare and unique materials. Incorporating gems from across the globe, million-year-old fossils, and rich metals into our line, you can be sure every necklace is a conversation piece as well as a fashion statement.

Our customers are always curious about where our materials come from, whether it's gemstones, pearls, shark teeth or any other natural substance used in the Elizabeth Sarah Collections line.

Especially when it comes to our shark tooth jewelry, we love being able to teach people about the local areas and history behind where each tooth comes from.

Our team takes enormous pride knowing that we source our shark teeth in a sustainable manner, and that, yes, they are all real and most are found right here in North Florida. 

Usually people find teeth along our beaches at low tide, and we typically search for them anywhere between Fernandina Beach and St. Augustine Beach.

While the latest collection of shark tooth necklaces feature teeth from the North Florida area, they are actually found a bit more inland, which may come as a surprise to some folks (especially if you're like me and never cross the ditch!)

These teeth are from Buck Island, which is located in the East Arlington area of Jacksonville. 

In the 1970's the Army Corps of Engineers dredged the St. Johns River in order for bigger boats to pass through the city, and to ensure that the river stayed at a depth of 45-50 feet. 

The deposits from the St. Johns were transferred to the banks of Buck Island, where the man-made sand dunes created from these deposits hide prehistoric artifacts that can be found by digging into the sides of the dunes.

Millions of years ago, when Florida was underwater, megalodons roamed this region, and in turn died here too. Their teeth were left behind to fossilize and settle in the deep rich sediment of what's now the St. Johns River and other run offs that venture further inland.

When this land is dredged, moved, and resettled, it provides the perfect place to treasure hunt for these fossils that may have never been uncovered otherwise.

While we travel cross country frequently and end up finding many organic materials at gem, mineral and fossil shows, it's always amazing to see what we can find in our own backyard, or at least not far from it.