While walking the Florida beaches during the many years I lived there, picking up pretty seashells was just part of life. It was something to keep the kids happy on vacation and we always went home with a bucket of their favorite shells.
Our collection grew – especially when we vacationed on Sanibel Island - which is one of the 3 top spots for shells collecting IN THE WORLD. And I kept them in a big glass bowl that I bought at the dollar store. I never had a clue as to what they were called. They were just “shells” to me.
I brought them with me when I moved back to the northeast and they sat in that glass bowl for years.
When I began photographing my shells for sale, I realized that it would be helpful if I could accurately identify them.
While searching around the internet, I have discovered the names of most of the seashells I have in my collection and I’m happy to share that info with you!
I have tried to include links to sites that better explain the shell, and I have learned a great deal from my research – (Do you know which shell is called a “mermaids toenail“?) and found some awesome sites with nice photos and good information.
Just Click on the link below to see photos and read about a particular shell.
The list will continue to grow as I add more of my photos, so please bookmark the page.
Florida Lightning Whelk - A ”left handed” seashell
Natica Lineata & Babylonia Spirata …Shells with stripes and spots
Pink Murex - A large shell
Strawberry Conch -Small cone
Lettered Olive & Golden Olive
Sand Dollars- More than one type
Jingle Shells- translucent
Elegant Dosinia -or Disk?
Pen Shell- Can be a foot long
Jujonia -A treasure
Spiny Jewel Box
Star Fish/Sea Stars
Gibbose (Brown) Olive Shell
Atlantic Auger
Atlantic Kitten’s Paw
Cowry Shells - Used as currency
