Shell collecting is a pastime that has been enjoyed by millions the world over for generations!  This guide should help you learn to identify and preserve your beach finds and perhaps give you some inspiration for what to do with all those tidbits you've collected over the years.  As a resident of Scarborough Beach in Rhode Island, My family and I have had opportunity to comb our beach from tip to toe and we have gathered some magnificent specimens over the years.

Here's the breakdown:

MOLLUSKS (Seashells) : Any of numerous chiefly marine invertebrates, typically having a soft unsegmented body, a mantle, and a protective calcareous shell. 

The Mollusk Category can be further broken down into:

GASTROPODS: Any of various mollusks such as the snail, slug, cowrie, or limpet, characteristically having a single, usually coiled shell or no shell at all, a ventral muscular foot for locomotion, and eyes and feelers located on a distinct head.  When alive, these animals have an operculum (trap door) which will close off the entrance to their shell to protect them from predators.

BI-VALVES: A mollusk, such as an oyster or a clam, that has a shell consisting of two hinged valves.

STARFISH Any of various marine echinoderms, characteristically having a thick, often spiny body with five arms extending from a central disk.

SEA URCHIN Any of various echinoderms, having a soft body enclosed in a round, symmetrical, calcareous shell covered with long spines.

SEA HORSE A small marine fish, characteristically swimming in an upright position and having a prehensile tail, a horselike head, and a body covered with bony plates.

SAND DOLLAR Any of various thin circular echinoderms, of coastal northern Atlantic and Pacific waters, having a covering of short movable spines.  The disklike internal skeleton has five radially symmetric oblong markings and often a pattern of slotlike holes.

SEA GLASS Any piece of glass that has been tumbled and smoothed naturally by the sea water, wind and sand over a period of time.

CLEANING & PRESERVING...

*Please note that these cleaning instructions are intended for beachcombing finds only!  They will work well to preserve your memories of a day at the beach with family and friends.  I do not recommend cleaning any collector specimens or other monetarily valuable items with these methods unless instructed by an expert!*

Seashells: Soak the seashells in a 1:1 solution of bleach and water.  Once the algae and periostracum (flaky leathery covering on most live shells) is gone, remove from the solution.  If there are still some barnacles or other matter on them you can use a tool such as a Dental Pick, Jewelers' Tweezers, or toothbrush to remove it.  After soaking, rinse clean under running water with a mild dish detergent and old toothbrush.

Smoothing Rough Edges- try a Dremel Tool to file them smooth.  (Sanding and heavy polishing greatly reduces the value of shells, so please use these techniques with discretion on collectors' specimens.)

Polishing Your Shells- try using Mineral Oil.  Apply to a clean, dry shell and allow to sit for a few hours.  Then wipe the excess off with a soft, clean rag.  Some collectors swear by WD-40 or other like sprays to achieve a high shine, but many shells have their own natural shine and this step is not really necessary.

CAUTION- DO NOT USE VEGETABLE OIL TO POLISH SHELLS AS IT GOES RANCID!!!

Starfish & Sea Horses:  Soak in Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) overnight, set out flat to dry in the sun.  A heavy book can be used to prevent curling.

Sea Urchins:  These are fragile, clean with care!  Let them sit out in the sun for a few days to dry (and air) out.  Then brush off the spines.  Next, flip it over and clean out any remaining tissues from inside the hole using one of the tools mentioned above.  Last, rinse well in fresh water and dry.

Sand Dollars: Not many people realize that while alive, sand dollars have a fine gray hair on them.  To get them hardened and bleached white, follow these steps:
-Soak them in fresh water as soon as possible after collecting.  The water will turn a brown color.  Repeat until the water stays fairly clear.

-Next, soak them in a solution of bleach and water.  Depending on the strength of the bleach you use, let them sit for  5-10 minutes.

-Remove from bleach, rinse thoroughly in fresh water and let dry.  Repeat if necessary.

*NOTE* Do not soak them for too long in the bleach because if left too long they can crumble.  Each soaking weakens the sand dollar a little more so it is not recommended you do this more then a couple times.  If they are still not white enough, let the sun bleach them the rest of the way.

-To Harden: Make a 1:1 mixture of water and all purpose glue.  Apply in a thin even coat over the surface of the sand dollar and let it dry thoroughly.

DISPLAYING YOUR SPECIMEN...

Seashells, Sand Dollars, Star Fish and Sea Urchins all look lovely displayed in their natural state on a Stand that gives them a place of prominence in your home.  If you are a crafter, why not try adding them to a wreath,  fill a vase, make ornaments, a windchime or even use them at your wedding?  Sea glass makes beautiful jewelry.

Tara Beaulieu