Okinawa cateyes

[goldnikki]

My father-in-law was a goldsmith, like me. I found these shells in his gem collection after he died. They are marked "OKINAWA CATEYES" but I can find no reference to them anywhere on the web.

What's curious is that i can't see where the animal lived-- there's no cavity to them--they're a solid "button" with a shell-like exterior and a classic shell swirl on the inside. I can't see where some part is broken off but it can only be that way-- how did it grow/live otherwise?

The interior polishes beautifully like mother of pearl and I guess it was used in jewelry. I have a few more than what is shown here.

Any assistance greatly appreciated!
Thanks!


<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/8512199" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/8512199">http://www.badongo.com/pic/8512199</a><!-- m --></a>  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2010-01-24 19:37:07 --</span>

[paul monfils]

"Cateyes" are not shells as such, which is why they do not have a cavity inside.  They are opercula (singular operculum), a sort of "door" that a snail uses to close the aperture of its shell when it withdraws inside.  There are many types of opercula from various kinds of snails, but the "cateye" opercula are from turban shells.  Here is a neat site on opercula.  Click on an operculum to see an enlarged view; then put the cursor on the enlarged view and see the shell with the operculum in place.  

<a href="http://www.nansaidh.us/operc/" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.nansaidh.us/operc/">http://www.nansaidh.us/operc/</a><!-- m --></a>  

Yours appear to be quite beach worn. Fresh opercula of this type are glossy and colorful on the exterior (convex) side. If you are interested in getting more of these, they are available in bulk from several commercial shell and craft supply dealers, like this one (do onsite search for "cat eye", with a space). (This is just a randomly selected site.  I think you might find them cheaper on some other commercial sites).

<a href="http://www.seashellworld.com/" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.seashellworld.com/">http://www.seashellworld.com/</a><!-- m --></a>  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2010-01-24 19:55:54 --</span>

[goldnikki]

incredible! thank you!