please help!!! i know nothing about seashells

[chastidyllaws]

PLEASE HELP ME WITH THESE SHELLS ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THEY ARE FROM WHAT FAMILY THEY BELONG TO AND THE VALUE TO A COLLECTOR IF ANY?? ALSO WHAT DOES F1 F+11 MEAN AND IF I WANTED TO START COLLECTING SHELLS WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO DISPLAY OR PROTECT THE ONES THAT I HAVE THAT MAY BE OF SOME VALUE.  THANK YOU<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/1365200" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/1365200">http://www.badongo.com/pic/1365200</a><!-- m --></a> <a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/1365246" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/1365246">http://www.badongo.com/pic/1365246</a><!-- m --></a>

[paul monfils]

Numbering 1-6 across the top, left to right; 7-12 across the bottom, left to right ...

1 Definitely a top shell (family Trochidae). Can't see much detail but I believe it is a Monodonta. Best guess without a clearer picture - Monodonta labio, Indo-Pacific.

2 Babylonia areolata, Areola Babylon Whelk, Indo-Pacific.

3,7 Fasciolaria lilium, Banded Tulip, S.E. United States

4,8 Severely beachworn juvenile specimens of Strombus alatus, Florida Fighting Conch, S.E. United States. #11 is a much less beachworn specimen of the same species.

5 Busycon spiratum, Pear Whelk, juvenile, S.E. United States

6 Beachworn Murex (Chicoreus) dilectus, Lace Murex, Florida/Caribbean

9 Babylonia spirata, Spiral Babylon Whelk, Indo-Pacific

10,12 Busycon sinistrum (formerly called Busycon contrarium), Lightning Whelk, juvenile, S.E. United States

All common to very common species

F and F+ are part of the international grading system used for specimen shells. It runs something like this ...

G (Gem) = Absolutely no flaws detectable on close examination; a "perfect specimen".

F+ (Fine Plus) = 1 or 2 small flaws detectable on close inspection but not readily noticeable on casual inspection.

F (Fine) = Moderate flaws detectable on casual inspection, which do not seriously compromise the aesthetic or scientific value of the specimen

Good - Obvious flaws that may compromise the aesthetic appeal of the specimen, but do not compromise the identifying characteristics of the species.

Fair/Poor - Specimens which are in overall poor condition, with major flaws or breakage. A museum might be interested in such material of an extremely rare species when no better material is available, but collectors are not usually interested in such specimens.

Some collectors and dealers insert additional levels of quality between the above, such as G- (Gem Minus) for a specimen that is "virtually gem", having perhaps one nearly invisible, almost impossible to find flaw; or F++ (Fine Plus Plus) meaning, obviously, better than F+ but not quite Gem.