Shell Help?

[paul monfils]

Yes, these are very common since they are involved in a major industry, where they are harvested literally by the ton.  An average size, specimen quality shell might be worth about $10.00.  That would mean both matched valves, natural condition, no trimming, polishing, grinding, etc., and accompanied by collection data.  Your shell would be considered "commercial quality" from a serious collector's point of view, and most collectors are not interested in commercial quality shells. Your shell has 4 strikes against it, from a collector viewpoint.  It is a single unmatched valve. Its outer surface has been reworked as described above.  Its edge has been artificially smoothed.  And it is not accompanied by collection data, which is important to serious collectors.  Still, the amount of work done to produce this decorative item does add something to its value, just for a different clientele.  Wholesalers sell them to tourist and gift shops for about $6 to $10, and I'm sure you would pay more than that if you purchased it in a shop.  You can see a similar item here (Polished Mop Plate).  "Mop" means "Mother-of-Pearl".

<a href="http://www.shellhorizons.com/products.asp?Category=10&curPage=2&direction=forward" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.shellhorizons.com/products.asp?Category=10&curPage=2&direction=forward">http://www.shellhorizons.com/products.a ... on=forward</a><!-- m --></a>  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2009-05-03 02:39:31 --</span>