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purple tops

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purple tops
02-13-2009, 06:12 PM,
#1
djfoulds Offline
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purple tops
What causes some shell specimens to have a purple dorsum?
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02-19-2009, 06:41 PM,
#2
paul monfils Offline
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purple tops
Removal of the outer layer of shell, the layer in which the pigments of the pattern reside.  The purple color is the underlying layer of shell.  This may occasionally happen in nature through erosion, especially in beach specimens, but it is also done by shellcraft companies who grind or etch away the dorsal part of the shell to reveal the purple layer and then polish them.  I can't imagine why.  The natural shells are so much more attractive than the "purple top" version, but I guess there is some demand for them in shellcraft.
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02-20-2009, 05:35 PM,
#3
djfoulds Offline
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purple tops
Thank you - that's now cleared that one up!
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