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GENERAL INFORMATION / FAQ
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- WHO ARE WE? Hugh Morrison has been scuba-diving and collecting shells professionally since his adolescence. He's been dealing with specimen shells for the last 40 years or so. Simone Pfuetzner is a fellow diver and goldsmith, working mainly with Decoshells and design. Together, we run a fully licensed, reputable seashell dealership besides also being professionally involved with scuba diving. Thanks to our keen interest in all things natural history / marine biology / travel / diving and association with likeminded people around the globe, we're now offering the most comprehensive range of seashells and books on the subject in Australia. We're located in Western Australia, which happily enjoys extensive (strictly enforced) Fisheries regulations. Preventing unlawful trade of CITES listed items is a high priority for us and we source our decorative / bulk material from reputable and responsible suppliers. All marine biologists tend to specialise and unfortunately a broad knowledge of shells (while incredibly useful for quick assessment) is now becoming rare. Hugh has been donating his expertise to assist curators at the WA Museum for many years and also describes new shell species in his spare time. We regularly contribute info to EOL (watch video here) and provide current specimen data aiding evaluation of species diversity. Hopefully this will in turn ultimately enable faster recognition (and protection) of potentially at risk marine habitats.
- WHAT'S A SPECIMEN SEASHELL? People interested in natural history around the world collect shells much like many others would collect stamps or coins. Natural seashells are gorgeous and interesting collectibles. The value of any collectible shell (aka 'Specimen Shell') rests on various key features. Besides accurate identification, all specimens should be individually measured and described, graded (for condition), labelled with complete scientific data and packaged correctly. Find them on our SPECIMEN SEASHELLS Page.
- WHAT IS SCIENTIFIC SHELL DATA? Specimen Seashell descriptions and data labels may include the following information: LOCALITY: Country or region where the specimen was found, which may include the local variant / form name or subspecies designation and any known details on the source, incl. surrounding habitat and depth. Information largely depends on the source: We regularly scuba-dive for seashells ourselves and can supply these with very detailed labels, incl. GPS data (within a 100m radius). We also obtain many shells from old collections (some of which have less information available). Some trawled shells obviously carry much less specific information, depending on which boat they came from and how accurately fishing logs were kept. SIZE: Specimen size in millimetres, which always represents the largest measurable distance between the outermost points of a specimen (exceptions from this rule are Spondylidae and other spiny Bivalves, where the body is measured without spines). DESCRIPTION: Listings may remark on occurrence, condition, shape, colour, pattern, presentation and/or major differences to other forms of the same species. OPERC / PERIO: Some species have doors (Nerites, etc. ), so we include info on presence / absence of operculum (shell door) or periostricum (surface coating). REFS / IMAGES: References to previously published information or images - listed refs in the header section of a price list. If you are looking for a specimen with particular colour or from a particular location, please let us know your reference (page / image Nr. in existing publication), as we may compare and perhaps even match the shell. Or send us an image! GRADING: Describes the condition of a specimen (see next FAQ).
- WHAT IS
GRADING?
Please find below the
commonly accepted Intl. grading terms explained (shells are 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 for species.
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. No grading system can possibly do justice to every specimen available and
most specimen shells will require further description. Since seashells are difficult to photograph well
(images may not clearly show flaws), the above accepted grading is
Internationally established for
seashell listing and description. NOTE: All our DECOSHELLS are
non-graded (intended for decoration only). - WHAT'S A DECOSHELL Beautiful ornamental seashells that have not been graded (i.e. bulk items) for decorative purposes, which are available in our DECOSHELLS section. This also includes Sea Urchins, Starfish and Sand Dollars, Seashell Mixes and bulk order items to look at and enjoy, play with or use for arts, craft and design, etc.
- CAN I TRADE OR EXCHANGE SEASHELLS? Yes. We will always try to acquire rare and unusual Pectinidae and will exchange for them just about any specimen shell from our lists. Other items we would trade for are either very good quality Cypraeidae, Conidae or Volutes - or rare & newly described species. Any queries, please e-mail us- CAN I MEET YOU? Yes. If you live in Perth or are visiting, please contact us to make an appointment - e-mail usIf you're not in Australia, meet us on the road! We annually present specimen shells for sale at trade events around the world. See our 2013 schedule below:
- TRADE SHOWS / EVENTS 2013: SAT/SUN, March 16th and 17th, 2013
INTERNATIONAL SHELL SHOW PARIS -
venue: 'Espace Charenton', 327 rue de Charenton, 75012 Paris, France, website:
www.espacecharenton.com/index_EN.html AFC
Club website: http://www.xenophora.org - bourse contact Perrine Dadart perrine.dardart@gmail.com (+33
6 1118 7848).
SAT/SUN, May 18th and 19th, 2013
July 16th to 21st, 2013 CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA (COA CONVENTION) - SARASOTA, FL. USA - venue: Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA. Ph: +1 941 953 1234, Fax: +1 941 952 1987, venue website: http://sarasota.hyatt.com, bourse contact: Peggy Williams, e-mail: Peggy@Shelltrips.com (941) 355-2291, convention website: www.conchologistsofamerica.org - field trips from 14-7-2012.
- HOW DO I ORDER? HOW MUCH IS SHIPPING COST? Find all information on pricing, ordering, shipping, refunds, available payment methods and our money back guarantee here: ORDERING
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Copyright © 2002-2013 Australian Seashells PTY Ltd.
Last modified: 10-02-13