SHELL TOPICS

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CLEANING SHELLS

After collecting, the animals can be removed a number of ways:

1. Place the shells in cold water and bring slowly to the boil. Simmer for a few minutes and then allow to cool slowly. The animal should remove easily using a hooked piece of wire. This method should not be used with polished shells as the polish may be damaged.
2. Place the shells in a shopping bag and place in the freezer. Leave overnight and thaw after 4-5 days. The animal should remove easily using garden hose and spraying water. Note: Polished specimens like Cowries, Olives, Margins etc. should not be cleaned using this method as minute hairline cracks may form in the shell polish.
3. Place shells in a bucket of water and leave allowing the animal to rot away. Replace water regularly as the deteriorating animal produces acids which can damage the shell surface especially of glossy shells. After a few days you can either hose the remains out or flick the shell holding onto one end so the decomposing material runs out the other end.
4. Place shells in a plastic container filled with kerosene. If there are a large number to be cleaned insert a wire grate in the bottom of the container to keep them off the bottom. Sit the shells on top of the grate and leave for a week or 2, most of the animal will decompose and fall through the grate to sit in the bottom of the container. Remove the shells after 1/2 weeks and hose out. Polished specimens come out gleaming.
5. Bury the shells in sand or soil. Place the shells upright and cover with sand. This allows the remains to run out when the animal has decomposed. Wash out the remainder. This method is not recommended for polished shells as body acids can collect around the bottom of the shell and can damage polish.
6. Place shells in a solution of 50% sea water or water and alcohol for up to a week. The animal can be removed with a wire hook or shaken out.

Do not, with any of these methods, leave the shells in sunlight as exposure can dull the color and ruin the gloss on polished specimens.

With shells like Murex, Tritons, Turbans etc. be sure to keep the operculum or trap door which is attached to the animals foot as this completes the presentation of the specimen in the collection. The operculum can be glued to cotton wool or tissue paper and pushed into the shells mouth.

When the animals have been removed give the shells a thorough clean in fresh water and leave to dry away from sunlight. You should be able to determine if the shell is empty of contents by smelling. Any surface growths eg. coral or calcium deposits can be removed with a sharp object or knife. A dentists tooth probe is ideal for delicate work. For removal of stubborn material the shell can be placed in a solution of 50% household bleach and water. Keep trying daily to remove the material as this solution softens calcium deposits. This solution will also remove the periostractum or skin often found on Cone shells. Never use acid to remove material as this may damage delicate surfaces.

POLISHING SHELLS

When you are satisfied with the cleaning process the shell can be oiled with a clean cloth and baby oil. Do not use any other type of oil as this may damage the shell. Do not lacquer shells as they are best kept in their natural state unless you have a Cowrie or Olive which has been dead collected and the polish has been eroded. With these shells the appearance can be improved considerably until you can obtain a better specimen by coating with clear fingernail polish.

SHELL DATA

Before placing your specimens on display - add your shells data. Most collectors have printed shell tags to which can be added the following information:

Scientific name: (eg. Conus bengalensis)

Authority: (eg. Okutani,1968) This is the name of the 1st person to describe the species and when he or she did.

Location: (eg.Bay of Bengal, India) Where the species was found.

Data: ( Trawled in 100 metres on sand bottom) Actual collection data for the species.

Your collection procedure for this specimen is now complete. A specimens value is increased if the operculum and shell data is included with the specimen. Details on shell grading is to be found on the Information page of this site.