Problem with seashells. - Printable Version +- Forums SEASHELL-COLLECTOR (http://forum.seashell-collector.com) +-- Forum: Seashell Collector's Forum (http://forum.seashell-collector.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3) +--- Forum: Shell General Discussion (http://forum.seashell-collector.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=4) +--- Thread: Problem with seashells. (/showthread.php?tid=1734)

Problem with seashells. - clinton9 - 06-14-2013 Hi members, I collected seahells since I were a schoolboy, and I lives in Thames, New Zealand. I had problems with seashells. I used to boiled the alive seahells, but boiling with hotwater had caused the colours to fade, plus loss of glossliness, Seaval days ago I had freezen the alive helmet shell (semicassis pyrum) and ostrich foot shells (struthiolaria papulosa) in my deep freezer, but next day, (25 hours later) I were disppointted to find both helmet shells & ortrich foot shells had cracks over, plus damages. I left seaval other ostrich foot shells in cold water for seaval past days. Can you please help me.... How I remove the animals out of alive seahells, without damage / ruin the shells ??? Your advises will be appreicated. Clinton. Re: Problem with seashells. - david_touitou - 06-15-2013 Hi, I collect shells from years too. I have always use the freezing method. I have never had any damage on any type of shell. Any family. Boiling is much more dangerous than the microwave. microwave if use very quickly is a godd way but it's maximum 4 secondes at max power. I recommand the freezer. Can you send me an image ? what is the T° of your freezer ? I used a -80°C freezer during my last travel on cone shells. No cracks. Cheers DAVID Re: Problem with seashells. - mark chan - 06-17-2013 You can try putting your live specimens in an air-tight plastic container and leave it any portion of the fridge (not the freezer or chilled room) for a month or so. Thereafter, use a reasonable strong water jet to flush out the animals. It will be messy but your shell texture is intact. Good to try on cypraea and olive - the glossiness is still there. Re: Problem with seashells. - clinton9 - 07-12-2013 Thankyou.