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Collections - J.P Oliveira
Specialized in collection Seashells the World and Fossils of Portugal
Shells Topics - Collection and Classification
Over 30 years of Shlles collecting...
My fascination with shells was born more than 30 years ago, transforming me since then into a specialized collector, in inexhaustible hours of pleasure in the preparation and conservation of the shells, or simply in their cataloguing. The sea shells have been part of my life for a long time...
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Fossils of Portugal - For Sale
Shells Topics - Part Two » Collection
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J.P Oliveira Internet Guide to Marine Shells » MolluscaBase - Seashelles of the World
MolluscaDataBase - Shells of the World
Scientific classification - Molusca
Introduction
In Shells Topics, I will approach the various questions related to Conchology. The Topic is divided in two parts. As a collector, I think it is important to share my knowledge with other collectors, or with people who are simply interested in learning some techniques on the subject of shell collecting. My objective with these topics is not make the role of a teacher, just to contribute to being another guide...
Collections - J.P. Oliveira
My Shell Collection
Part I - Preparation and Conservation » In the first part of the topic I explain some techniques and basic rules for cleaning and preserving shells. Exhibition of the collection and other tips...
Part II - Conchology and Classification » In the second part, I approach themes such as ordering a collection and the respective classification of shells. Some ideas about on shell collecting. Buying of collection shells. Falcifications and other themes...
Exhibition and Conditioning of Shells
In Part II of the Shell Topic, I will approach classification and fact of the importance of exposure and conditioning. No matter how well the conditioning of a collection is, the only way to guarantee the longevity and health of the shells is to properly plan where to expose or conditioning them safely. Exposing the shells inappropriately will inevitably contribute to their rapid degradation. In my humble opinion, a beautiful and good collection is more than having some showcases full of shells piled up for friends to see...
The way you expose or condition the shells will be a determining factor in whether or not you have an extraordinary collection... Classification is also an indispensable factor for any shell collection. The classification is the "ID" of each specimen you have in your collection. Each specimen must have its own label with its identification. Without the individual classification of each specimen (origin, date, species and other data), a collection is worth little or nothing, no matter how beautiful it may be...
A beautiful and organized collection. Shells well conditioning in plastic boxes, suitable for collection...
Poor display and conditioning of the shells. A pile of shells can hardly be called a collection...
Exhibition of shells in showcases
Glass showcases can be a good option for exposing large or medium-sized shells. Glass does not release chemical substances (acid vapors), this is a very positive factor for the permanent preservation of shells. The not-so-good side of glass is that it does not have the ability to absorb humidity and this can already be a very serious problem... Another problem with shells being exposed in glass showcases for a long time is the fact that they are more exposed to excessively enveloping light. Excessive light from lamps, and in particular sunlight, contributes to a pronounced and faster discoloration of shells, especially in shells with warm colors, or in more sensitive species.
Glass showcase, with built-in light. Showcase in lacquered wood, with glass doors.
Showcases that are composed of various materials and depending on the materials used in their manufacture, it is also worth taking into account whether or not they are the best option for exposing shells safely. Mainly in showcases, which are partially composed of wood. Most of the wood used in the manufacture of furniture for exposed objects almost always has a very high degree of acidity, which is not recommended for shells... As I already described in the first part of the topic, anything that is acidic will inevitably attack calcium carbonate from shells. Depending on the wood and how it is treated, it always continues to release acid vapors. If we add to the acid vapors, humidity and possibly dust, these three factors together will turn into a disastrous "cocktail" for the preservation of shells...
Conditioning shells in furniture with drawers
Conditioning shells in furniture with drawers is, in my opinion, the best option for keeping and organizing any collection of this genus. Not only because you can keep more shells in a smaller space, but they are also better protected from light and other negative factors for their preservation. The drawers must be of good size and of different heights, to be able to organize the shells in different sizes. As I have already said about the composition of the materials used in the manufacture of showcases, in furniture with drawers, the same principle must also be followed in their choice... This will always be one of the most important steps to be followed. It's not always easy to decide what to buy, or not buy. What can or cannot be reused, what you may already have at home...
whatever criteria you follow, you should try to find the most balanced way possible, to preserve the shells in the long term...
My Shell Collection. Wooden furniture with drawers of different sizes and glass exhibitor.
My Shell Collection. Shells of the genus Conus, in plastic boxes.
Once you have chosen the furniture or showcases to condition the collection, you can also keep the shells in plastic or acrylic boxes, individually or several small specimens of the same species, in the same boxes. This way the collection becomes even more appealing and the shells better protected, as well as the handling of the shells and the respective organization of classification. Another even simpler and more economical suggestion, you can do the same thing by putting the shells and classification labels inside small transparent Ziplock-type plastic bags.
Depending on which solutions you want to opt for or not, these are just two more good suggestions. These suggestions can make all the difference in whether or not, a greater longevity of preservation in shells...
Note: There are hardly any 100% safe and ideal scenarios for displaying or condition shells in complete safety. Depending on the shells and the collection you have, you can prevent or minimize some more or less complicated situations that may eventually arise...
For collectors who have a very generous budget to spend on their collections and are willing to pay to control all these adverse factors I have described, there are now fully controlled integrated climate control systems. Showcases and furniture made from specific materials, to expose and keep collections of shells and other similar items, in perfect condition. The most modern and richest Museums in the world already have their own systems and equipment to shelter collections in ideal conditions for permanent preservation. Unfortunately, all these good things are not financially supportable, for most collectors...
Suggestions for what you can do on a small budget like mine to minimize the effects of shell degradation...
Avoid direct sunlight on the shells. In case of humidity, have a dehumidifier. Avoid having showcases or furniture without doors. Pay attention to the composition of the showcases, or other furniture you will use. Do not put the shells too close together, or mounted on top of each other. Keep the shells individually inside boxes, or in type Ziplock plastic bags.
Image of a museum shell collection
The most important...
Regularly observe the condition of your shells, this way you can detect problems early on. If you take these and other factors I described into consideration, you will certainly minimize the risk of having serious problems in your shells...
Shells Topics - Part Two » Classification
Classification of Shells
To be able to call it a "Collection", whatever you collect, there has to be a certain determination in the order and information of any collection. A collection it's not a lot of "stuff" randomly... Collecting anything requires some personal organizational strategy and a set of various information essential to the information of each item. At this level of collecting, shells are also no exception to the rule in this order and information...
Classification can be done in a simple way, or in a more detailed way (Identification + Registration). Depending on the shape of how you acquire the shells, the information must also be propositional... that is, the additional information to a shell bought from a seller, must not be the same information added to a shell caught by us. We can add a set of other extra information to these, which may even be of a more scientific charisma...
Classification Compendium
Identification
In most cases, shells bought from specialized dealers or acquired through exchanges with other collectors already come with the respective classification labels related to each specimen and in these cases, little or nothing, we already have to add... In the record of these labels, there is only a reduced amount of information to be able to quickly identify the specimens. Such as the genus, the scientific name of each species, author of the species' discovery, geographic location (country), location (specific area), depth at which it was caught and little else.
» Example of a label
In the header or footer, generally put the name of the collector: ex: J:P. Oliveira - Colletons. Then, this order follows »
J.P.OLIVEIRA - Colletions
* Specie: Lambis lambis
* Author: C. Linnaeus, 1758
* Site: Philippines. Palawan, El Nido
* Obs.: Live catch at 2 meters depth (optional depending on the information)
* Date: March of 2007
Example of a label
Lambis lambis (C. Linnaeus, 1758). Philippines
Note: These five points are basic in the information available for each shell (ID). The labels must be small, to be able to add them together with the respective shell, especially if it is inside a box.
Registration
The record is a broader set of information about a certain specimen. It generally consists of a sequential registration number (001) or code (St. 001), which contains the following data »
J.P.OLIVEIRA - Colletions
* Family: Strombidae
* Genus: Lambis
* Specie: Lambis lambis
* Author: C. Linnaeus, 1758
* Site: Philippines, Palawan. El Nido, Bacuit Archipelago, Serpent Island.
* Obs.: Specimen caught alive half-buried in the sand, among corals. 2 meters deep.
* Date: 21-03-2007
* Collectors: J.P. Oliveira
* Size: 130.5mm
* Condition: F+++/Gem
* Code: St.001
Example of a label, with more detailed information
This information can be duly recorded in a log book, or on a label that fits this information, easily readable. Currently, this information is also processed in electronic format (ex. Microsoft Access), as a digital database.
Note: More detailed recording of information only makes sense for shells collected by us, or provided by reliable sellers... many sellers provide wrong information related to some shells they sell. Sometimes because they themselves are led into error for various reasons, or on purpose... unfortunately in the shell market, not all sellers are honest in their sales...
Observations » If for some reason you feel that the information you have is not correct, it is better not to add it... it is not worth adding information that is not reliable. A well-made and correct record can be a very useful scientific tool. Incorrectly, it is useless...
Shells Topics - Part Two » Extra information...
In this part of the topic on Conchiology in general, I will approach two more topics » The buy and exchange Shells + Fakes.
Aliger gallus (C. Linnaues, 1758). Brazil, Pernambuco. Condition » F+++
Buying shells
When I started collecting shells, laptops and smartphones didn't yet exist and the internet was a fiction from Hollywood films. Buying shells was much more complicated than it is today... Many species that are practically common today, or not very rare, had absurdly high prices.
Currently, we can very comfortably buy almost everything online, including many shells. The offer of shells for sale, on specialized websites or other online platforms, is vast, to suit all tastes and budgets. But even with all this offer and facilities, unfortunately it's not always possible to make good buys...
The shell market is currently so vast and confusing that most of the time it is difficult to be sure what we are buying. Prices for similar shells can vary greatly between sellers. Or have incorrect information... The most common thing for less honest sellers is to overestimate the state of the specimens they are selling, such as classifying a shell as being in a state of perfection as being (Gem). Most of the time this classification does not entirely correspond to this reality. But this assessment (right or wrong) greatly increases the value of these shells...
There are many aspects to take into account before making any buy. Even with all the care and some knowledge, it is not uncommon for us to be dissatisfied with the buy we made...
Some practical advice regarding buying shells online »
* Before buying » research about the shell and compare the price and other aspects. You have to take into account that this same shell is similar in all aspects (species, dimensions, location, degree of perfection and others) to the one you intend to buy on a certain site...
* Take into account » the fact that many sellers are very weak when it comes to presenting their items for sale. And that, with shells, can be a problem... it's common for photos of shells to be of very poor quality, or to be exaggeratedly photoshopped, so as to have more strongly contrasted colors. Contrasted colors more towards black, increases the price of shells...
* Auctions » can be a good option for buying shells, as long as you can buy them below the value found elsewhere online... or for some very special shell, which you can't buy anywhere else...
Buying shells online
The internet option »
* Buy the shells the old-fashioned way (personally from the seller).
* Another option is to buy shells at fairs dedicated exclusively to this theme. There are many in various parts of the world...
Shell exchanges »
Exchanging is something that unfortunately I've never done, but that doesn't mean I can't do it...
Many collectors around the world make large collections based on exchanging shells... I think it is necessary to have some confidence and good will to sometimes gain and sometimes lose slightly... it is not always possible to make exchanges completely fair or equal...
Tips »
* It can be a great alternative for those who don't want or can't spend a lot of money. It will certainly be a good alternative for those who catch live or dead shells. We usually always have several more examples, which we can simply exchange with other collectors.
* If you exchange buy shells, you must manage the exchanges in a way that balances the value, so that both parties are satisfied...
Describing » Fakes Shells
As with almost everything in life, whenever there is the possibility of making easy money, some people cannot resist this temptation...
The fakes are part of human history. Almost anything that has value can be fake and shells are no exception to the rule. Of course, no one in their right mind fakes shells to sell that can only cost a few euros. But when it comes to very rare shells, or shells with special characteristics that can generally cost hundreds or thousands of euros, the temptation to fake such a specimen is very great...
Based on a lot of research and information collected on other websites specializing in shells, I'm just going to briefly summarize the problem and try to describe some of the most common cases of fake. Whenever the source of the information collected is not mine, I will refer to the same source to which it belongs.
Anyone who reads this part of the topic will probably find this a bit bizarre about shell fake, but it's not...
A » Rare purple color, done with acids.
B » Normal color and pattern for this species.
Fakes made with acid »
Fakes may or may not be very elaborate, depending on the forger artist...
Many of the fakes are made with acidic substances. The shells are dipped in acid and then polished to look natural. Some forgers can create almost art...
The shell that is represented in the photo (B) is from a common species from the Indian-Pacific region. It is generally a species that costs a few euros for any collector. In this supposed color (A), it could easily be worth a few hundred euros...
Phasmoconus laterculatus
Fig. A; Pionoconus magus
With acids. The "amethystina annulus"
Fig. B; Monetaria annulus
In the photo » (Fig. A), two common shells of the same species, from the Conidae family. This species presents a huge variety of colors, with elaborate natural patterns, but very rare in the condition of photo. Some forgers have a very artistic imagination, which can easily fool any collector...
In the photo » (Fig. B), a very common species of Monetaria, which an "artist" decided to falsify and transform this shell into a rare form of color called "amethystina". A Monetaria annulus is generally one of the cheapest shells any collector can buy. But the fake version can cost a lot of money...
Fakes made with polishing »
The technique of falsifying shells through a polishing process is a very general practice. Whether to purposefully change the pattern of the specimens, or simply to make the shells shine, as if they were high-quality specimens...
As can be seen in the photo on the side, Arestorides argus (Fig. A), the natural pattern of the shell was purposely altered to go from a relatively common specimen to a very rare specimen. Existing specimens that present natural colors similar to this falsified shell and are worth a lot of money. It's not always easy to distinguish the false from the real...
The most common with the polishing process is to transform low-quality or dead shells into high-quality specimens. This process is very applied in the Cypraeidae family and other families with smooth shells. A shell caught dead and without shiny is not very appetizing for collectors. But a well-polished shell and depending on the species, can be worth many hundreds of euros...
Polished: the rings have disappeared.
Fig. A; Arestorides argus argu
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fig. A; Callistocypraea aurantium
Fig. B; Mitra mitra
In the photo » (fig. A), an artistic work of falsification "Teeth extended, polished, a work of three days". An aurantium, with teeth extended. Incredible imagination...
In the photo » (fig. B), the falsification of a rare form of miter miter yellow in color, from a shell caught dead and polished. It's a less artistic process of falsification, but it works well to fool the collectors...
Fakes made with paint »
Fig. A » Some forgers raise the bar for falsifications, to a level of pure "art"... Not just any forger can paint a dead shell with no great monetary value and transform it into an attraction worthy of the best collections, at a high price monetary value...
If one of the most experienced conchologists today (Guido T. Poppe) did not initially detect this falsification, most collectors would also have serious difficulties in detecting...
Fig. B » It's a beautiful painting on a mappa mappa, as the author of the description about the falsification says, it's better than the original... I have no idea, but I think that an original shell with this rare coloring must be worth many hundreds of euros ...
Fig. A; Callistocypraea leucodon leucodon
Fig. A » "Thisleucodon changed in colour during the year. When we bought it the colour was perfectly olive. A real leucodon, coated and repainted. This often happens with dead shells that are virtually impossible to sell. Many collectors got trapped, to the great joy of the local fakers." Guido T. Poppe
Fig. B; Leporicypraea mappa mappa
fig. B » "A much sought after fake, but not often available and rather expensive to buy. A dwarf mappa coated with a fake rostration and then painted. Looks almost real. Fortunately the fakers do not know there is no mantle line as such on New Caledonian blacks: their fantasy got wild and they made the fake better and more beautiful than the real thing. Here art starts." Guido T. Poppe
Fakes Frankenstein... »
The most bizarre falsifications present a high degree of imagination. In these "Frankenstein" falsifications, several parts of shells of the same species are usually used, but they can even be mixed parts made up of other species...
The falsification work of these forgers is incredible. Even though they are falsifications that are objective to fool collectors, they are still incredible. It takes a great degree of skill to create a minimally convincing falsification that is difficult to detect. Some forgers exceed their artistic abilities and become ridiculous in exaggeration (fig. B). It's not always a good idea to go beyond what's reasonable...
Fig. A » "This fake is a classic: it exists for more than ten years and is produced all the time. Pieces sold regularly for over 1000 dollar. The siphonal canal is from an haustellum, the body from scorpio, the wings from zamboi. All coated in plastic and with a fake operculum." Guido T. Poppe
Fig. A; Homalocantha anomaliae
Fig. B » "The so-called "double row of spines freak". One row has been glued on the shell. Magnificent fake."
Guido T. Poppe
Fig. B; Guildfordia yoka delicata
Shell Tópicos »
Probably some collectors, when reading this part of the topic about shell falsifications, will think and question themselves about what they may or may not have in their collections. Nobody likes to be deceived, but the truth is that as soon as we are distracted, or are less informed, the probability of being deceived increases a lot...
The world around the shell market is a huge space. With the emergence of online sales on the internet, this space has increased substantially. The current opportunities to make good buys are a cool reality, but one that must be well thought out. There are very good traders all over the World, but bad traders also occupy the same geographic space. The only thing I can advise as a collector is to have common sense. Everything that is rare and original will inevitably always have a high value...
Website CEO: J.P. Oliveira
Fossils an Shells Topics » Fossils Topics
Preparation of three articulated vertebrae
Introduction
"The fossils in my collection (fossils from Portugal) were all discovered and prepared by me. I am not a professional expert in fossil preparation, but I have good sufficient knowledge to also venture into the area of preparation and conservation. Some time ago, I acquired specialized equipment for preparing fossils. They are expensive “toys”, but this puts the work of preparing the fossils on another level of speed and perfection, removing any remaining matrix to clean the fossils...."
Fossils an Shells Topics » Shells Topics
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Fusiturris similis (Bivona, 1838). Seashells of Portugal
"In Shells Topics, will approach the various questions related to the Shells of the World. The Topic is divided into two parts. As a shells collector, preparator and hunter, I think it is important to share my knowledge with other collectors , or with other people who are simply interested in learning some techniques on the subject of shells collecting and preparation..."
NEWSLETTER: The 23th of July 2024, Portugal
Dear friends, collectors, or simply visitors. Once again I'm remodeling my website, in a final and possible format... When everything is totally remodeled, it will have an aspect much more pleasant and easier to navigate through the pages. Many and new content are being added. New pages. New photos with quality. The description of new Fossils and Shells. In the end it will almost be a new website...
