identification please

[vman]

Hi, what is this type of shell called?
I think it's abalone but im not sure.

<img src="http://i45.tinypic.com/2ztkftv.jpg" alt="http://i45.tinypic.com/2ztkftv.jpg" style="border:0" />

also i was wondering if you could tell me how i could clean these?
should i use just bleach, bleach with water or something else?

Thanks.  <span class="petit">--Last edited by vman on 2010-01-13 08:59:34 --</span>

[paul monfils]

Yes, these are abalone, Genus name Haliotis.  Small abalones can be difficult to identify to exact species, but if you know where these were collected, then exact ID might be possible.

[vman]

They are from the south coast of Victoria, Australia.

Also is the inside of the right one dirty? or is that just how it is.

Thank you.  <span class="petit">--Last edited by vman on 2010-01-14 07:51:46 --</span>

[dave r]

They would be Haliotis rubra. The inside does get like that sometimes. The 'mother-of-pearl'effect is due to different refraction indices in thin layers of shell, the layers are almost like the pages of a book but semi-transparent. These layers are bonded together by a protein which sometimes starts to break down and the layers 'de-laminate' resulting in the sort of staining you see on your shell. The only thing you can do is give it a thin coating of baby oil to stop it getting any worse, this will not cure it but it does slow it down. This is something that affects all Haliotis unfortunately, especially if they have been lying dead in the sea for a while.
Dave

[vman]

Thanks for all your help <img src="images/smiley/smile.gif" alt="" border="0" />

[georgeuptonpark]

These look like South East Asian abalones - bleaching them could affect their colour so do go easy!  James at dorset Gifts  www.dorsetgifts.com

[dave r]

Definately not S.E.Asian, the only species from there this sort of size would be something like gigantea or kamschatkana which they are not. If they are from S. Victoria they can only be rubra. I have bleached many shells and have never known it to affect the colour, which bleach do you use? I would be very interested to know what effects the bleach had on your shells.
vman, they do not need bleaching anyway. The deposits can be removed with something like a dental pick for the stubborn bits and a wire brush for the rest but don't be too rough! Sorry, I did not notice the bit about cleaning before!