My Amazing Kamoka Valentine!

[KaySD]

It is beautiful, Pattye! I would love to see more photos of your collection.

 

[SunSeeker]

beautiful carving Pattey, I could stare at this all day!

 

[Happy Huku]

A very special piece, thank you for sharing.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I particularly like the hibiscus flower.

 

[Bailey1856]

That carving is perfect and I agree black lip shells are so pretty. I have one myself and the only one in my collection so far. The other day I was daydreaming of FIJI pearls and I thought If i can't afford a single pearl I will be happy to have a FIJI shell.

 

[Lorri]

Hi Pattye! This is absolutely gorgeous The carving is just beautiful. I would love to see more photos of your collection also !

 

[pattye]

Thank you all so, so much for your appreciative remarks! Now the only carved shell in my collection, joins an extended family of both purchased and beach-combed items, which are displayed in vignettes around my house and sometimes appear in my etsy listings. The treasured abalone and 2 conch shells, whose colors have faded slightly over time, were gifts from Grandpa when I was very small. However, the sea can still be heard in the conchs! The last few days have been dark for photo taking, so here's a few (purchased ones) gathered on the bookshelf.

 

[Katbran]

So pretty ! What it the one down on the bottom right..next to the sand dollars?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

A fellow-admirerer of Turbo sarmaticus! I have a few of those on display too.

Katbran, that is what you are referring to. Turbo sarmaticus-- South African turban shell. They polish off some of the exterior so that the iridescent interior layer is visible.

I'll photograph mine tomorrow when it's daylight.

 

[GemGeek]

Really cool. I love shells.

 

[lisa c]

Amazing, sometimes I think the shells are even prettier than the pearls. Would love to see your entire collection.

This is an excellent idea, Kelluv; if you didn't mind and ever have the time, Pattye?

 

[pattye]

Ok, would love to. Hope for a brighter day tomorrow; other pics weren't worthy to post. I do have some other beauties~

 

[BAS]

The carved shell is really lovely! And I love the group shot! I'm looking forward to more pictures.

 

[BWeaves]

Love the group shot. Beautiful.

 

[pattye]

Wish I'd been to all the exotic places these shells originate from! (I haven't learned all their names either.) But they all called to me~

The abalone inlay boxes are from Mexico, as you likely guessed, purchased there.

One more pic, with Kamoka Valentine!

 

[Marianne]

Sweet collection. What a beautiful variety of colors and shapes!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Lovely photos, Pattye!!

I took a shot of my little family of Turbo sarmaticus shells. The close-up is of the one I got first. I was on holiday in Fish Hoek, South Africa, way back in '88 and came across a little shop with shells. I had never seen these turban shells before and was charmed.

The hills and valleys in the shell are all on the inside of the shell-- outside, the surface is more or less smooth. It's an interesting optical illusion. The camera does not adequately capture the iridescence-- lots of pink and green.

 

[BWeaves]

OMG. Those are all gorgeous.

What's the blue green and white spiral one?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

That is a green turban shell or marbled shell, Turbo marmoratus. The white section is a carved strip that reveals the iridescent layer under the surface.
(Pattye, I don't mean to crash your thread; hope you don't mind my input.)

 

[lisa c]

Pattye, that's beautiful! What an eyeful!!

PearlDreams, I had never heard of Turban shells. That's cool -