SEEKING FOR THE MOST UNCOMMUN BEAUTIFULL SHELL

[paul monfils]

In my opinion this is probably the most beautiful Mexican shell.  It is uncommon but not extremely rare, though large specimens are rare:

<a href="http://members.cox.net/natura/Oporphyria.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://members.cox.net/natura/Oporphyria.jpg">http://members.cox.net/natura/Oporphyria.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

It is called a Tent Olive Shell - Olive Shell because it belongs to a family of shells known by that name, and Tent for the pattern on the shell.

If you go worldwide there are many beautiful and rare shells, and I'm sure some folks here can give you a number of suggestions.  There are also shells that are very beautiful but very common, and shells that are very rare but not very beautiful.  

Is your play set in modern times?  I ask because there are some shells that were considered great rarities a couple of hundred years ago, though they are relatively common now.  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2009-03-16 06:00:36 --</span>