Comments on: An addiction: The fascinating beauty of seashells http://www.womenandcruising.com/blog/2009/12/an-addiction-the-fascinating-beauty-of-seashells/ Women cruisers share their experiences, info and news Sun, 09 Mar 2014 21:56:12 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.8.41 By: Ruth Allen http://www.womenandcruising.com/blog/2009/12/an-addiction-the-fascinating-beauty-of-seashells/comment-page-1/#comment-3649 Sat, 21 May 2011 10:14:50 +0000 http://www.womenandcruising.com/blog/?p=939#comment-3649 I collected many samples of shells and coral. I decided to gift some of the samples to people when I got back home. Some of the fun was looking for specimens for people, kind of like finding the right greeting card.
I kept a modest amount of shells for myself. Certainly I will do it again.

]]> By: Karen http://www.womenandcruising.com/blog/2009/12/an-addiction-the-fascinating-beauty-of-seashells/comment-page-1/#comment-3439 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:57:08 +0000 http://www.womenandcruising.com/blog/?p=939#comment-3439 I also love collecting seashells. We usually make 2 trips to the Caribbean each year and I spend most of my time doing just that. I have jars and bottles full of them. Mother nature never ceases to amaze me with her beauty.

]]> By: Sylvie Branton http://www.womenandcruising.com/blog/2009/12/an-addiction-the-fascinating-beauty-of-seashells/comment-page-1/#comment-3420 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 23:10:26 +0000 http://www.womenandcruising.com/blog/?p=939#comment-3420 Hello Susan,

The bleach is used to loosen algae. Algae won’t always fall by itself, you might need to scrub the shell to get it off. You can also renew the solution or use pure bleach.

To remove the West Indian top shells external coat, use muriatic acid.

It is a strong acid, so you need to be very careful. Wear work clothes, protect yourself with gloves, glasses, mask and work outdoors. Hold the shell with tongs (that you rinse carefully afterwards).

You dip the shell in acid for 1 to 15 seconds, depending of the size of the shell, then drop it in water to stop the acid action and check the result. Do it again until you are happy with the result and you get a nice mother-of-pearl.

This needs some practice, as if you leave the shell too long in acid the shell itself will dissolve. You can do the “finishing” with a brush dipped in muriatic acid.

Not all “brands” of shells have mother-of-pearl but top shells and star shells do.

All the best
Sylvie

]]> By: Susan Scherr http://www.womenandcruising.com/blog/2009/12/an-addiction-the-fascinating-beauty-of-seashells/comment-page-1/#comment-3419 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 04:06:26 +0000 http://www.womenandcruising.com/blog/?p=939#comment-3419 just returned from my first sailing experience in the BVI. Brought home several west indian top shells and pieces I found on the beaches. How long do I soak them in bleach and how do I remove the outer coating once they have soaked? did a 50-50 bleach solution for 48hrs and nothing really happened. I am so excited to find this blog- went from “scared of water and sailing” to “I cant wait to get back on the water” with this trip. Thanks for the education!

]]> By: Lisa Stewart http://www.womenandcruising.com/blog/2009/12/an-addiction-the-fascinating-beauty-of-seashells/comment-page-1/#comment-3370 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:59:18 +0000 http://www.womenandcruising.com/blog/?p=939#comment-3370 Wonderful!!!! And yes…..that is exactly how it is! People ask me what I do with them….and I say..”nothing!” lol Fill baskets, jars, wine bottles! Kindred spirit! Thanks for sharing.

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