Sea Shell

[paul monfils]

This is (or was!) a Top Shell in the genus Trochus. In its natural state it looked something like this:

<a href="http://www.reef.crc.org.au/research/fishing_fisheries/statusfisheries/harvesttrochus.htm" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.reef.crc.org.au/research/fishing_fisheries/statusfisheries/harvesttrochus.htm">http://www.reef.crc.org.au/research/fis ... rochus.htm</a><!-- m --></a>

Then the outer layer of shell was ground or etched away to reveal the underlying pearl layer, and the shell was polished, so it looked something like this:

<a href="http://www.outerbankssouvenirs.com/browseproducts/Pearled-Trochus-niloticus-ss65b.HTML" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.outerbankssouvenirs.com/browseproducts/Pearled-Trochus-niloticus-ss65b.HTML">http://www.outerbankssouvenirs.com/brow ... ss65b.HTML</a><!-- m --></a>

Then the sides of the shell were cut away to make the decorative item you have.