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GENERAL INFORMATION / FAQ
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- WHO ARE WE? Hugh Morrison has been scuba-diving and collecting shells since childhood. He's been dealing with specimen shells for the last 40 years or so. Simone Pfuetzner is a fellow diver and goldsmith, mainly focusing on the art, craft & design aspects of seashells. Together, we run a reputable, licensed seashell dealership, besides also being professionally involved with scuba diving. Thanks to our keen interest in all things natural history / marine biology / dive travel and our association with likeminded people around the globe, we can now offer the most comprehensive range of seashells and literature on this subject in Australia and the Asia / Pacific region. Our location in Western Australia happily enjoys one of the most extensive and successful fisheries managements worldwide. We aim to source all our decorative / bulk material from reputable and responsible suppliers.
All marine biologists tend to specialise, so unfortunately a broad practical knowledge of seashells (while invaluable for quick ID assessment) is becoming rare. Hugh has been donating his time and expertise to assist curators at WAM (Western Australian Museum) for many years, aside from taking part in scientific expeditions and diving in remote locations to discover and describe new species in his spare time. Australian Seashells regularly contributes local specimen samples / accurate data to EOL (watch video here). The resulting scientific database is currently developing into the largest global resource for biodiversity evaluation. Pooling global biodiversity data enables faster identification (and protection) of potentially at risk marine habitats. The rapid rate of damage to worldwide marine environments due to climate change and pollution is an ongoing major concern, not just for us. Watch JEN 'Charlie' Veron's illuminating Royal Society talk on the subject of Australia's Great Barrier Reef here: https://royalsociety.org/events/2009/barrier-reef/.
- WHAT'S A SPECIMEN SEASHELL? Natural history buffs around the world are collecting seashells (like i.e. stamps or coins), often focusing on just one family of shell species. Along with curious bits of rock and wood, seashells have been mankind's first ever collectible treasures (since the stone age). All natural shells are beautiful and fascinating; some are truly precious. The value of any collectible shell (aka 'Specimen Shell') today is due to various key features. Besides accurate identification, all specimens should be individually measured and described, graded (for condition); each should have a scientific data label and be packaged individually. You can find collectible specimen seashells (listed in family groups) on our SPECIMEN SEASHELLS page.
- WHAT IS SCIENTIFIC SEASHELL DATA? Specimen Seashell descriptions and data labels may include the following information: LOCALITY: Country or region where the specimen was found, incl. local variant / form name or subspecies tag, besides any known details on the location, incl. habitat and depth. The info available for each specimen largely depends on the source: We scuba-dive remote areas and can supply shells that we find ourselves with extremely detailed data, incl. GPS info (within a 100m radius). We also obtain many shells from old collections (some may have less information available). Trawled shells obviously carry less specific information, depending on which boat they came from and how accurately fishing logs were kept. SIZE: Specimen size in millimetres, which always represents the largest measurable distance between the outermost points of a specimen (except spiny Bivalves and Spondylidae, where the body is measured without spines). DESCRIPTION: Listings can mention occurrence, condition, shape, colour, pattern, presentation and/or major differences to other forms of the same species. OPERC / PERIO: Some species have doors (Nerites, etc. ), so we include info on presence / absence of operculum (shell door) or periostricum (soft surface coating). REFS / IMAGES: References to previously published information or images: We list refs in the header section of a price list. If you are looking for a specimen with particular colour or from a particular location, please let us know your reference (page / image nr. in existing publications) or send us an image, as we may be able to compare and perhaps even match the shell. GRADING: The condition of a specimen (see FAQ on Intl. GRADING terms).
- WHAT IS
GRADING?
Please find below the
commonly accepted Intl. grading terms explained (shells are viewed under good
lighting with the naked eye):
GEM
- Shells are without any
discernible blemish or flaw. The specimen will be fully adult and of typical
size for species.
F++ / GEM
- Shells that have a very
minor flaw or blemish which is hard to perceive, shows up only under close
scrutiny and in no way detracts from the look of the shell.
F++
- Shells have a
noticeable flaw or blemish which does not detract from the look of the
shell.
F+ / F++
- Shells have more than
one noticeable flaw, growth line or blemish consistent with the species, but
the overall presentation is very good. These shells are generally excellent
value and suitable for aesthetically pleasing collections, being
considerably less expensive than GEM specimens.
F+
- Shells with small
chips, noticeable growth lines, nacre lifts, blemishes or other obvious
flaws, where the overall appearance and presentation of the shell is
obviously not perfect. NOTE: Several large sized or rare species are only
available in F+ condition or less.
F / F+
- Shells with major
chips, growth lines, nacre lifts, blemishes or other obvious flaws. Very
fresh dead collected but otherwise good specimens are also often classed as
F/F+.
NOTE: Some shell species
are only available in F/F+ condition or less.
F or DEAD
- Shells that are either
badly damaged, obviously juvenile or dead, but suitable as a representative
of the species or for study purposes.
NOTE: Some shell species
are only available in F or dead condition. No
grading system can possibly do justice to every specimen available and most
specimen shells will require further description. Since seashells are difficult
to photograph well (images may not clearly show flaws), the above grading terms
are Internationally accepted for seashell descriptions. NOTE: All our DECOSHELLS are
non-graded (intended for decoration only). - WHAT'S A DECOSHELL Beautiful ornamental seashells that have not been graded (i.e. bulk items) for decorative purposes, which are available in our DECOSHELLS section. This category also includes Sea Urchins, Starfish and Sand Dollars, Seashell Mixes and bulk order items to look at and enjoy, play with or use for art, crafts and design.
- CAN I TRADE OR EXCHANGE SEASHELLS? Yes. We will always try to trade for very good quality Cypraeidae, Conidae or Volutes - or rare & newly described species - and exchange for them just about any specimen shell from our lists. Please e-mail us- CAN I MEET YOU? Yes! Meet us on the road: We annually present specimen shells for sale at trade events around the world. See our upcoming schedule below:
- TRADE SHOWS / EVENTS 2017
- HOW DO I ORDER? HOW MUCH IS SHIPPING COST? Find all information on pricing, ordering, shipping, refunds, available payment methods and our money back guarantee here: ORDERING
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Copyright © 2002-2016 Australian Seashells PTY Ltd.
Last modified: 25-01-17