Cleaning without ruining natural shine

[sarabell]

I have only been collecting shells for 4 months.  How can you not living on a sub-tropical island <img src="smile/hapface01.gif" alt="smile/hapface01.gif" style="border:0" /> Anyway, I have found several small, 1 inch, snail shells that are very shiney and purple on the inside.  Before I found this site, I would soak in fresh water, along with my cowries, and ruined the natural shine.  I have since used the freeze/thaw method then the alcohol and have not had a problem.  My question now is, how do I clean the outside of these shells? If I soak it in anything, I will ruin the inside which is where the beauty is.  The outside of these shells have a thick, white hard substance on them.  I also have two shells that are very shiney and smooth on the inside, and have the leathery outside that I would like to get off.  I'm afraid if I soak them in bleach, I will ruin the naturally smooth, shiney inside.  I hope there is someone out there with the cleaning wisdom I'm looking for!!

[paul monfils]

Soaking in fresh water ruins the shine because it allows organic matter inside the shell to decompose, releasing acids into the water. This weak acid solution etches the surface of the shell, making formerly glossy areas appear dull.  Bleach quickly dissolves such organic matter before it can decompose. It also prevents bacteria and fungi from growing, and it neutralizes any acids that may be naturally present. Bleach does not react with calcium carbonate, which is the substance the shell is made of.  Therefore it does not cause the dulling effect that soaking in water may cause. Bleach (a 10% solution is adequate - it is not necessary to use it full strength) will quickly remove that "leathery" outer covering (called periostracum) which is produced  by the animal. However it will not remove hard white "lime" deposits, coral, tubeworms, barnacles and such, because all of these are made of the same material as the shell. Bleach may help to loosen some of these however, so that they can be more easily picked off with a small sharp instrument. When using bleach to clean shells, the shell should be lowered into the bleach with the apex of the shell (the pointed end of the spiral) pointing down, so that the bleach can flow inside the shell all the way to the apex.  If possible the shell should be positioned so that it ramaines apex down.  This will allow for more efficient cleaning. Depending on how much organic matter is in/on the shell, a couple of hours may be enough time in the solution, but overnight or even 24 hours may be needed for some shells. Then just flush well under running water (you can do it outdoors with a garden hose - use a powerful spray, not a mist), and air dry.

If you have shells that have been acid damaged, you may be able to bring out the color by rubbing a little mineral oil or baby oil on the area, then wiping off all the excess oil. This will often make the shell look nicer, but it will not restore the brilliant natural gloss that was there originally.  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2008-07-28 17:45:09 --</span>