trygo
Interesting. I've never noticed hairline fractures due to boiling, but maybe I just haven't looked hard enough.
Hair line fractures appear in all shells subject to excessive heat especially from boiling. If it was a world record shell such as "Max bottom time's" SIO discovered it will still be a WR and it will maintain its intrinsic value , but its market value is greatly reduced-- and as we know there is a market for sea shells.
I am reminded of a incident about 40-50 years ago - actually when I recall it was even possibly longer - it was prior to the extensive dive travel of today and diving was still concentrated in California.
A young dive shop employee had traveled to Hawaii on his honey moon and returned with a selection of sea shells . He proceeded to boil them, and glue them in shadow boxes for display in the shop. I dropped by one day and he proudly shared his display with me to me --Much to my surprise and I suspect horror he had found a Golden Cowrie (Cypraea aurantium) at that time extremely rare and selling for $500 and up.
Moral - research and know your shells- like Max Bottom Time
I've heard of freezing, just never bothered to try it--seemed like more work. I have also read of a method of burying shells in sand/dirt so ants and others will eat the animal. Seems unnecessarily cruel to me. Well, I suppose if the animal is already dead--then it just seems messy.
All of the above have been used and are obsolete -- almost "urban Legends"
For many years conchologist ( I suppose I am one) have been using germicidal soap such as "Hexsol " to dispose of the shell's tissue.
There are two methods; soaking and setting:
In soaking the shell is immersed into a bottle or a jar containing a solution of Hexsol and water . The bottle is sealed with a lid and set in a cool dark place. Periodically the bottle is shaken and the solution changed until the germicidal soap has destroyed all the tissue.
In setting the shell, generally a bivalve such as a cowrie (Cypraea) is placed on a sponge super saturated with hexsol and placed in a cool dark place. This method will require more attention such as adding water and periodically changing the sponge until all of the shells flesh is destroyed . (Ed note purchase sponges at 99 cent store)
I've also heard that some actually use muriatic (sp?) acid on very encrusted shells, but have been advised never to do so since it also eats fingers.
To remove growth from a shell many tools can be employed. Originally I used and often still use common nut pick, an Ice pick, small screw drivers, dental pick and wire brushes . Some years ago discovered a set of small sharp pick of various sizes shapes and bends at Harbor Freight - excellent for cleaning shells
Muriatic acid had been used for years and years to clean shells !
There are several ways to purchase the Muriatic Acid
1) local drug store, (very expensive ,) 2) Home depot in the paint department (very expensive and weak ,) or in the swimming pool department (very strong mixture and 1/2 less or more the price in the paint department)
Several cautions when using Muriatic Acid
Use out side in a well ventilated area
Never use on concrete (will eat concreate)
Wear old clothes
WEAR EYE PROTECTION
When using on shells apply sparingly use cotton swabs etc and wash area frequently.
If you have a large area that needs protection such as the underside of an Abalone of a Turban snail apply a coat of Paraffin wax. To remove place in a common pot with the wax facing up. Heat until the wax melts-- do not allow to boil !!! Allow to cool skim off the wax for reuse
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urbaneve71, I only soak in bleach when whatever film/grime, etc. covering the shell is not relatively easy to remove with my usual tools (mainly sharp knife).
Bleach is very caustic -- Never ever place sea shells in bleach it will eat away at the exteriors of the shell
Tony66, All been said before.
So true-- I am delighted that the modern late model tube suckers recognize that there was a beginning and a middle and now we are approaching the end of the consumptive diver. Hopefully soon shell collecting , spear fishing and destroying what remains will be distant memories of the past, so my grandchildren will not marvel at seeing a star fish as one of the poster did
uncfnp, I too am surprised that quite a few have said they collect shells, even if just dead ones. As I first mentioned, you never read anything in mags. where divers talk about shells. Am surprised this thread is still going, but am enjoying it.
