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GENERAL INFORMATION

GRADING OF SPECIMEN SEASHELLS:  (Viewed under good lighting with the naked eye)

GEM

- Shells are without any discernible blemish or flaw. The specimen will be fully adult and of typical size.

F++ / GEM

- Shells that have a very minor flaw or blemish which is hard to perceive, shows up only under close scrutiny and in no way detracts from the look of the shell.

F++

- Shells have a noticeable flaw or blemish which does not detract from the look of the shell.

F+ / F++

- Shells have more than one noticeable flaw, growth line or blemish consistent with the species, but the overall presentation is very good. These shells are generally excellent value and suitable for aesthetically pleasing collections, being considerably less expensive than GEM specimens.

F+

- Shells with small chips, noticeable growth lines, nacre lifts, blemishes or other obvious flaws, where the overall appearance and presentation of the shell is obviously not perfect. NOTE: Several large sized or rare species are only available in F+ condition or less.

F / F+

- Shells with major chips, growth lines, nacre lifts, blemishes or other obvious flaws. Very fresh dead collected but otherwise good specimens are also often classed as F/F+.

NOTE: Some shell species are only available in F/F+ condition or less.

F or DEAD

- Shells that are either badly damaged, obviously juvenile or dead, but suitable as a representative of the species or for study purposes.

NOTE: Some shell species are only available in F or dead condition.

Obviously no grading system can possibly do justice to every specimen available and most specimen shells will require further description. NOTE:All our DECOSHELLS listed items are non-graded and intended for decoration only.

REFERENCES:

You will find the information on the specific publications used for reference in the header section of the relevant price list (i.e. CONIDAE list). However in most cases, we used several publications plus our own Australian and worldwide locality refs. If in doubt, please contact us via e-mail with your query. If you are looking for a specimen with particular colour / pattern, please by all means refer to a particular page / image in a shell book - our seashell reference library is extensive - and we most likely can compare your ref. to find a match.

TRADING / EXCHANGE OF SEASHELLS:

We usually restrict our trading to our own collecting interest: We will always try to acquire rare and unusual Pectinidae and will exchange for them just about any specimen shell from our lists. The only other items we would consider trading for are either very good quality Cypraeidae, Conidae or Volutes - or rare & newly described species. We would like to know:

1) Are there any Pectens among the shells you are offering - if so, which species? What else can you offer? Can you send an image?

2) What would you like in exchange? To start negotiations, please send us a description of your offer with a suggested retail value in US$. Please also include a list of items that you would like in exchange and please mention that you would like to offer the shell(s) in question for exchange or trade. If you can't find suitable shells to trade for on our lists, please let us know what other shell species you are looking for in exchange. We may be able to track down your desired item(s) for you - contact us.

TRADE SHOWS / EVENTS:

We will be presenting specimen shells for sale at the following international shell shows in 2009: 

14th - 15th March, 2009
INTERNATIONAL SHELL SHOW PARIS - venue: 'Bourse de Commerce', 2 rue de Viarmes, Paris 2nd, France - AFC website: http://www.xenophora.org - e-mail: wantiez.mada@wanadoo.fr

2nd May, 2009
NATIONAL BRITISH SHELL SHOW - venue: 'Theydon Bois Hall', Coppice Row (B172), Theydon Bois, CM16 7ER, UK - BSCC website: http://www.britishshellclub.org.uk/ - e-mail: tom@tomwalker.co.uk

9 - 10th May, 2009
 17th BVC INTERNATIONAL SHELL SHOW ANTWERP - venue: 'Sports Hall Schijnpoort', Schijnpoortweg 55-57, 2100 Deurne (Antwerp), Belgium - BVC website: http://www.bvc-gloriamaris.be - e-mail: bvc.shellshow@planet.nl, area & travel info at: http://www.antwerpen.be

 19th - 23rd July, 2009 - WE HAVE REGRETFULLY CANCELLED OUR PARTICIPATION AT THIS EVENT, VERY SORRY - SEE YOU IN BOSTON 2010!
COA / CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA ANNUAL CONVENTION - venue: 'Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort', 400 Mandalay Avenue, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767. Dedicated convention website: http://www.coa2009.org - e-mail: COA2009@aol.com, extensive Florida travel links & info available at the COA2009 website.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Find additional information on pricing, ordering, shipping, refunds, available payment methods and our money back guarantee on the ordering page.

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Copyright © 2006 Australian Seashells PTY Ltd.
Last modified: 05-06-09