The outer layer has been removed, leaving a purple background with an old sailing ship design etched into the front of the shell.

Measurements: 3.5 inches

Cowry, common name applied to marine gastropods belonging to the family Cypraeidae, a well-developed family of marine snails found in the tropics. Cowries are abundant in the Indian Ocean, particularly in the East Indies and the Maldive Islands. Species of cowries inhabit the waters around S California and the warm waters southward from the SE United States. They characteristically have massive, smooth, shiny shells with striking patterns and colors. The upper surface is round and the lower flat. When alive, the cowrie's shell is usually concealed by its large mantle; as the cowrie creeps along the ocean bottom, the mantle envelops the shell. As the body grows, the inner whorls of the shell are dissolved, and the dissolved lime is then used to enlarge the outer whorl of the shell. Some shells have been used for money, e.g., those of the money cowrie, Cypraea moneta. The shells of various species are used also for personal adornment and in some primitive cultures indicate the rank of the wearer. The smooth brown cowrie, Cypraea spadicea, inhabits the protected outer coast and mud flats in S California, often as far north as Newport, Calif. The most prized cowrie for a shell collector is the tiger cowrie, Cypraea tigris, which grows to 4 in. (10 cm) in length and whose shell is considered by some to be the most lustrous shell of the South Pacific. Having the appearance of a tiger skin, it is white with many brown spots. Cowries are classified in the phylum Mollusca , class Gastropoda, order Mesogastropoda, family Cypraeidae.

In keeping a conscientious attitude regarding the environment, the majority of shells we offer are by-products of the seafood industry. They are gathered for their meat and not soley for their beautiful shells. We do not carry specimen shells which are associated with endangered or threatened species. This is the reason that certain shells may become unavailable from time to time....to prevent over gathering. No shells have been collected by a method called "dynamiting".

Every shell shipment is strictly governed and inspected by the US Department of Fish and Wildlife Service prior to its release. Our import partner is well respected by all Fish and Wildlife agents they have worked with over the past 45 years.

Melon Shell (or CYMBIUM FLAMMEUM)

The Melo Diadema is a Melon shaped mollusk commonly referred to as a Bailer Shell. Full specimen shell.

Measurements: 4.5 to 5.5 inches

Also available in BULK quantities.

Each of the capsules composing the cluster is a cone with the apex free and interior, while the base is external and adherent to its immediate neighbours, but not completely so throughout its circumference. It follows, therefore, that the cluster of capsules is hollow and that water flushes it throughout. In appearance it resembles a combination of the pineapple and the corncob, and to the base a portion of the coral-stem to which it had been anchored by its considerate parent was firmly attached.

In keeping a conscientious attitude regarding the environment, the majority of shells we offer are by-products of the seafood industry. They are gathered for their meat and not soley for their beautiful shells. We do not carry specimen shells which are associated with endangered or threatened species. This is the reason that certain shells may become unavailable from time to time....to prevent over gathering. No shells have been collected by a method called "dynamiting".

Every shell shipment is strictly governed and inspected by the US Department of Fish and Wildlife Service prior to its release. Our import partner is well respected by all Fish and Wildlife agents they have worked with over the past 45 years.

GIANT Melon Shell (or CYMBIUM FLAMMEUM)

The Melo Diadema is a Melon shaped mollusk commonly referred to as a Bailer Shell. Full specimen shell.

Measurements: 8 to 9 inches

Also available in BULK quantities.

Each of the capsules composing the cluster is a cone with the apex free and interior, while the base is external and adherent to its immediate neighbours, but not completely so throughout its circumference. It follows, therefore, that the cluster of capsules is hollow and that water flushes it throughout. In appearance it resembles a combination of the pineapple and the corncob, and to the base a portion of the coral-stem to which it had been anchored by its considerate parent was firmly attached.

In keeping a conscientious attitude regarding the environment, the majority of shells we offer are by-products of the seafood industry. They are gathered for their meat and not soley for their beautiful shells. We do not carry specimen shells which are associated with endangered or threatened species. This is the reason that certain shells may become unavailable from time to time....to prevent over gathering. No shells have been collected by a method called "dynamiting".

Every shell shipment is strictly governed and inspected by the US Department of Fish and Wildlife Service prior to its release. Our import partner is well respected by all Fish and Wildlife agents they have worked with over the past 45 years.

Large Murex Shell

The largest of all Indian muricids is murex ramosus. This shell is found associated with the larger horned helmet shells in deep waters.

Measurements: 5 to 6 inches

Also available in BULK quantities

In keeping a conscientious attitude regarding the environment, the majority of shells we offer are by-products of the seafood industry. They are gathered for their meat and not soley for their beautiful shells. We do not carry specimen shells which are associated with endangered or threatened species. This is the reason that certain shells may become unavailable from time to time....to prevent over gathering. No shells have been collected by a method called "dynamiting".

Every shell shipment is strictly governed and inspected by the US Department of Fish and Wildlife Service prior to its release. Our import partner is well respected by all Fish and Wildlife agents they have worked with over the past 45 years.

Giant Murex Shell

The largest of all Indian muricids is murex ramosus. This shell is found associated with the larger horned helmet shells in deep waters.

Measurements: 7 to 8 inches

Also available in BULK quantities

In keeping a conscientious attitude regarding the environment, the majority of shells we offer are by-products of the seafood industry. They are gathered for their meat and not soley for their beautiful shells. We do not carry specimen shells which are associated with endangered or threatened species. This is the reason that certain shells may become unavailable from time to time....to prevent over gathering. No shells have been collected by a method called "dynamiting".

Every shell shipment is strictly governed and inspected by the US Department of Fish and Wildlife Service prior to its release. Our import partner is well respected by all Fish and Wildlife agents they have worked with over the past 45 years.

Spiney Murex Shell (Murex Cichoreus)

Class: GASTROPODA ORTHOGASTROPODA
Order: CAENOGASTROPODA - SORBEOCONCHA - HYPSOGASTROPODA - NEOGASTROPODA
SuperFamily: MURICOIDEA
Family: MURICIDAE MURICINAE

Measurements: 2.5 to 3inches

Also available in BULK quantities

In keeping a conscientious attitude regarding the environment, the majority of shells we offer are by-products of the seafood industry. They are gathered for their meat and not soley for their beautiful shells. We do not carry specimen shells which are associated with endangered or threatened species. This is the reason that certain shells may become unavailable from time to time....to prevent over gathering. No shells have been collected by a method called "dynamiting".

Every shell shipment is strictly governed and inspected by the US Department of Fish and Wildlife Service prior to its release. Our import partner is well respected by all Fish and Wildlife agents they have worked with over the past 45 years.

Hand-Carved Helmet Shell

This beautifully hand-carved Helmet Shell was forged in Italy by artisans who have practiced this art for centuries. Each shell design slightly varies due to the uniqueness of each carving.

Measurements: 7-8 inches

The Helmet is one of many species of tropical marine univalve shells belonging to Cassis and allied genera. Many of them are large and handsome; several have been traditionally used for cutting as cameos, and hence are called cameo shells. This substantially sized West Indian cameo conch (Cassis cameo) is ideal for the true sealife enthusiast and/or collector.

In keeping a conscientious attitude regarding the environment, the majority of shells we offer are by-products of the seafood industry. They are gathered for their meat and not soley for their beautiful shells. We do not carry specimen shells which are associated with endangered or threatened species. This is the reason that certain shells may become unavailable from time to time....to prevent over gathering. No shells have been collected by a method called "dynamiting".

Every shell shipment is strictly governed and inspected by the US Department of Fish and Wildlife Service prior to its release. Our import partner is well respected by all Fish and Wildlife agents they have worked with over the past 45 years.

Assorted Carved Cowry Sealife Shells

Measurements: 3.5 inches

The outer layer has been removed from this beautifully colorful cowry shell, leaving a purple background with various sealife scenes to choose from.

Cowry, common name applied to marine gastropods belonging to the family Cypraeidae, a well-developed family of marine snails found in the tropics. Cowries are abundant in the Indian Ocean, particularly in the East Indies and the Maldive Islands. Species of cowries inhabit the waters around S California and the warm waters southward from the SE United States. They characteristically have massive, smooth, shiny shells with striking patterns and colors. The upper surface is round and the lower flat. When alive, the cowrie's shell is usually concealed by its large mantle; as the cowrie creeps along the ocean bottom, the mantle envelops the shell. As the body grows, the inner whorls of the shell are dissolved, and the dissolved lime is then used to enlarge the outer whorl of the shell. Some shells have been used for money, e.g., those of the money cowrie, Cypraea moneta. The shells of various species are used also for personal adornment and in some primitive cultures indicate the rank of the wearer. The smooth brown cowrie, Cypraea spadicea, inhabits the protected outer coast and mud flats in S California, often as far north as Newport, Calif. The most prized cowrie for a shell collector is the tiger cowrie, Cypraea tigris, which grows to 4 in. (10 cm) in length and whose shell is considered by some to be the most lustrous shell of the South Pacific. Having the appearance of a tiger skin, it is white with many brown spots. Cowries are classified in the phylum Mollusca , class Gastropoda, order Mesogastropoda, family Cypraeidae.

In keeping a conscientious attitude regarding the environment, the majority of shells we offer are by-products of the seafood industry. They are gathered for their meat and not soley for their beautiful shells. We do not carry specimen shells which are associated with endangered or threatened species. This is the reason that certain shells may become unavailable from time to time....to prevent over gathering. No shells have been collected by a method called "dynamiting".

Every shell shipment is strictly governed and inspected by the US Department of Fish and Wildlife Service prior to its release. Our import partner is well respected by all Fish and Wildlife agents they have worked with over the past 45 years.

Philippine Scorpion Shell (Lambis Chiragra)

Measurements: 7 - 8 inches

Like most spider conchs, the Chiragra is a thick shell with fingerlike projections extending outward. The female shells aperture is pale pink and the two shoulder "fingers" are larger than the others. The males shells "fingers" are all about the same, but the aperture is more brightly colored. Common to Eastern Indian Ocean to Polynesia. Found in shallow waters.

In keeping a conscientious attitude regarding the environment, the majority of shells we offer are by-products of the seafood industry. They are gathered for their meat and not soley for their beautiful shells. We do not carry specimen shells which are associated with endangered or threatened species. This is the reason that certain shells may become unavailable from time to time....to prevent over gathering. No shells have been collected by a method called "dynamiting".

Every shell shipment is strictly governed and inspected by the US Department of Fish and Wildlife Service prior to its release. Our import partner is well respected by all Fish and Wildlife agents they have worked with over the past 45 years.

Spider Shell (Lambis Lambis)

Measurements: 5 - 6 inches

Also known as the Spider Conch.

Taxonomic Information
Class GASTROPODA ORTHOGASTROPODA
Order CAENOGASTROPODA - SORBEOCONCHA - HYPSOGASTROPODA - LITTORINIMORPHA
SuperFamily STROMBOIDEA
Family STROMBIDAE

Despite the fact that the "conch" shells are not super-shiny, monotonously ovoid in shape, they remain quite popular with the "more discriminating" of collectors. Their SHAPES are their main attraction, being splendidly variable on this axis, but many have EXCELLENT COLOR as well. They are recommended for those who desire a bit of "spice" (shape-wise, expecially) in their shell cabinets.

In keeping a conscientious attitude regarding the environment, the majority of shells we offer are by-products of the seafood industry. They are gathered for their meat and not soley for their beautiful shells. We do not carry specimen shells which are associated with endangered or threatened species. This is the reason that certain shells may become unavailable from time to time....to prevent over gathering. No shells have been collected by a method called "dynamiting".

Every shell shipment is strictly governed and inspected by the US Department of Fish and Wildlife Service prior to its release. Our import partner is well respected by all Fish and Wildlife agents they have worked with over the past 45 years.