Have you ever wondered about the true nature of cowrie shells? Where do they come from? Are they simply shells, or is there more to their story? You may have a vague understanding that cowries were ...

Shells are the true gems of the ocean and a beachcomber’s most prized find. Although, commonly used today to adorn necklaces, earrings and bracelets, or to decorate the home, shells and their ...

While snorkeling off a windward beach, I found a marine animal on the ocean floor in about 10 feet of water. The creature lay buried in the sand, belly up, with just its teeth showing. I could barely ...

One of the most important Hindu holidays, Diwali, represents prosperity and light. On this day, worshipping Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi brings luck, prosperity, and wealth. Among the many ...

“Before you do anything else,” curator Chris Meyer said the minute I arrived at the National Museum of Natural History’s Invertebrate Zoology collection, “you have to vote for beauty.” He led me ...

All these snakehead cowries were found dead. Sand grains wedged in the opening are a sure sign that neither the cowry nor a hermit crab lives inside. Select an option below to continue reading this ...

Selecting the right cowrie shells is essential for your mosaic frame. Look for shells that are intact, with no cracks or ...

Dead or alive, the chestnut cowry, a snail with a brilliant shell, strongly draws the human eye with its beauty. The polished shine of the cowry shell varies in tone from white below to deep chestnut ...

The saying goes a picture is worth 1,000 words. To the inaugural festivities of President Donald Trump, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was spotted wearing a striking collar with ...

Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology, Vol. 23, No. 1 (2001), pp. 27-38 (12 pages) Ornamental employment of Chestnut Cowry (Cypraea spadicea) shell artifacts in southern California ...