Sea Shells

All sea shells in our Sea Shell Set and Ocean Set were sustainably collected from beaches where they washed ashore naturally. None were grown commercially. 

Astralium calcar is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Turbinidae, the turban snails. Calcar means 'spur' and indeed, the outer shell has a spiral of blunt bumps and spikes. The shell is usually encrusted and thus well camouflaged on the rocks.

Babylonia areolata is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Babyloniidae. The common name is Babylon shell. 

It is edible and there are snail farms with Babylonia in Thailand. 

Rhinoclavus vertagus, common name the common creeper, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cerithiidae, the ceriths.

 They usually live on mud bottoms in colonies that may number millions of individuals.

Canarium urceus is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.

It's a lively snail that hops instead of creeping along the surface. 

The shells are used to make decorative items in the Philippines.

The Cerastoderma edule, or common cockle is a species of saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusc in the family Cardiidae, the cockles.

Found in waters off Europe, it is eaten in several countries. These cockels were probably a significant food source in hunter-gatherer societies of prehistoric Europe, and the clay remains of shell-imprints have been found.

Turritella is a genus of medium-sized sea snails with an operculum, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Turritellidae.

The name Turritella comes from the Latin word turritus meaning "turreted" or "towered" and the diminutive suffix -ella.The shells are quite frequently found as fossils, and the carbonate stone made from large quantities of Turritella shells is often referred to as "Turritella limestone", or, if silicified, "Turritella agate".

Trochus is a genus of medium-sized to large, top-shaped sea snails with an operculum and a pearly inside to their shells, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Trochidae, the top snails.

The interior of the shell is pearly and iridescent because of a thick layer of nacre (mother of pearl).