ANTIQUES RESTORATION

Antiques restoration may require matching a particular missing shell to repair a priceless old lamp, a beautiful frame or piece of furniture. Many musical instruments also feature MOP (mother-of-pearl) inlay. We have a large warehouse and may be able to supply exactly what you need to replace a lost piece. Email us with images!
 
ART / ARTS & CRAFTS
Artists around the world use seashells, starfish, urchins and other marine life in collages, mosaics, art framing, still life drawing, photography, etc. Natural objects like seashells are inspirational, eye-catching and can be implemented in countless ways - the options are endless!

A lot of Arts & Crafts applications require Polished Shell Material / mother-of-pearl. We stock a range of Polished round MOP discs (various sizes) in Paua Abalone, Black (Tahitian) Pearl Shell, Goldlip Pearl Shell, silver or rose/bronze pearly Oyster MOP. And various inexpensive, whole and polished 2nd Grade shells that are fantastic options for cutting, carving, inlay or mosaic material, including Polished Paua and Green Abalone, Polished White and Red Abalone, whole Polished Turbo and Astraea Shells of may different types and colours. Explore options in Decoshells / Polished Seashells.
 

Some Art requires really tiny Seashells. We have a wide Selection of Shells available in tiny sizes, for individual or bulk ordering. Have a look at Mini Spirula, Mini Neritina, the Mini Mix or the Small Mix - see options in Decoshells / Seashell Mixes
 
SEASHELL MIRRORS
A very popular DIY project use for old picture frames: Insert a mirror and decorate the frame! If you use shells, the result may be outstanding. Please email us a description or image along with the mirror size, so we can suggest the perfect shells for your project. Still looking for ideas? Check out the inspirational collection of images on our Seashell Mirrors Pinterest Board (we supplied ingredients for some of these!).
 
SHELLS FOR KIDS!
Some seashells are more suited than others for children (less fragile, more robust!). Consider these options: Polished Chocolate Conch, Red Helmet, Tiger Cowrie, Polished Green Turbo, Arabica Cowrie, Polished African Turbo, Egg Cowrie - see also our FAQ info on this.
 
INTERIOR DESIGN
Need a Feature Shell? For interior design projects, a beautiful XXL sized Syrinx, Polished or Natural Nautilus, Giant Spider Shell, Helmet Shell or White Murex may be just the thing. We also usually have some lovely (huge!) Australian Bailer Shells in our warehouse. Each giant shell is strictly a one-off, unique item that we won't list individually online. Let us know what you are looking for, so we can send you a Special Offer..
  
JEWELLERY / FASHION
All you jewellers, designers, fashionistas out there looking for anything specific: Ask us! What are you looking for? If it exists, we can probably find it for you and hand-select a small batch to your specifications. We already custom-select various types of seashells for jewellers around the world on a regular basis and find ourselves supplying shells in graduated sizes for fashion embroidery and dressmaking. See examples on Facebook and our Seashell Style Pinterest Board..
 
SEASHELL COLLECTIONS
We have a substantial collectors department where all specimen shells are carefully graded for condition and listed by their scientific name. If you're looking for a new addition to your existing Seashell Collection / Display and are not sure of the scientific name of the shell you seek, just ask! Or send us an image of what you seek.. Also consider looking at our Decorator Seashells and Starfish - although un-graded, most of what we offer in this category is selected for looks, pattern and beauty - suitable for even the most sophisticated display. 
 
SEASHELLS FOR COOKING / FOOD PRESENTATION

Chefs around the world are using seashells for food prep, gratins, baking, and (naturally!) for decoration / food presentation. We've supplied seashells of various types to famous chefs and restaurants around Australia. Perhaps the most frequently ordered Seashell items for food use (as in: for dipping bowls, for appetizers, presentation decor, etc.) are various types of Scallop and Abalone Shells. See our Decoration section. See our FAQ on how best to prepare your shells for cooking / food use!
 
SEASHELLS FOR HERMIT CRABS
Some Seashells work better for hermit crab homes than others.

Choose from pre-selected Mixes which contain carefully checked and selected Seashells in a good variety. We focus only on suitable shells with wide O-shaped or D-shaped apertures that hermit crabs naturally seek out and inhabit in the wild (i. e. Turbo Shells, Tun Shells, Moon Snails, Pheasant Shells, various Landsnails, etc..). We only select shells well suited for this purpose (no holes or major lip damage / not too heavy) and only supply very pretty, natural, untreated and clean Seashells for this purpose - currently available in in the following units / ordering options:

Hermit Crab STANDARD MIX: 10 Standard Shells, sized approx. 2.5-4cm (outside measurement) in diameter, variable species, $ 18.00
Hermit Crab MEDIUM MIX: 5 Medium Shells, sized approx. 4-6cm (outside measurement) in diameter, variable species, $ 15.00
Hermit Crab LARGE MIX: 5 Large Shells, sized over 6cm (outside measurement) in diameter, variable species, $ 18.00
Hermit Crab ALL SIZE MIX: 5 STANDARD, 4 MEDIUM, 3 LARGE Shells, size range 2.5 - 10cm, variable species, $ 30.00 (discount buying option)

 

Default shell sizing reflects the max. outside measurements of each shell. However, aperture sizes do vary and some STANDARD / MED size shells may have a comparatively large sized aperture. If you know what aperture size and shape (or shell type) you are looking for, please tell us when you place your order and we can select accordingly.

While the pre-selected Mixes generally are well accepted by Hermit Crabs, you may prefer to order 'a la carte' for your pet.. We can't select particular shell types for the pre-selected maximum-variety Mixes, but you can always head over to the Decoshell section to select individually from the entire range... Some shell types are available in different sizes, so you have lots of options.. 
 

SEASHELLS FOR AQUARIUM FISH

We supply Seashells for fish breeding - let us know if you are looking for a specific type of shell - email us! We may have exactly what you need - drop us a line and let us know your requirements. See also our FAQ info about Seashells for Cichlids.
Some Seashells work better for hermit crab homes than others.

SEASHELLS FOR CEREMONIAL USE
Seashells belong to the earliest objects used by mankind for ornamentation, ritual and worship. This is well documented in archaeological finds from around the globe, where shells are usually associated with trading, as well as ornamental, spiritual and mythical practices . 

In Christianity, Scallop Shells are a traditional symbol of pilgrimage (i.e. the "Camino") to this day. Scallops in particular have a strong symbolic link with St. Jacques / St. John the Baptist, so seashells are still being used today for christenings. It's a lovely idea, as the parents usually get to keep the shell being used during the ceremony. We supply seashells for christenings to many (mostly Protestant, Anglican and Catholic parishes) in Australia.

In Hindu scripture, the sound of a Chank Shell being blown precedes the spoken word. The direction of coiling of the shell is of particular interest, as all sinistral shells are associated with the goddess Vishnu - and very much prized for worship and ceremony (i.e. such as our Lightning Whelk Shells) - see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shankha for more information.

In Feng Shui practice, a big natural Abalone Shell may be used during smudging rituals to burn incense (restoring balance) to purify and harmonise a space. It's an age-old cleansing ritual, also shared by other peoples around the world, i.e. notably in the USA, where native Americans may use an Abalone Shell to hold burning white Sage bundles.

 
In Greek and Roman mythology, Seashells were often depicted alongside the god Poseidon / Neptune (wealth) and the goddess Aphrodite / Venus (love & happiness). Associated with both, seashells were used as good luck charms for centuries and were a traditional wedding gift in many parts of the world. To this day, the traditional Mediterranean wedding bonbonniere is a Scallop Shell wrapped in silk and tied with a ribbon (typically filled with candied Almonds). Giving Seashell gifts or decorating a wedding celebration with Seashells is a beautiful, time-honoured way to invoke those divine aspects, along with blessings and good luck for the bride and groom..

See our Decoration section for Scallop Shells..