The scientific name of conch shells (also known as Chank shells) are Turbinella Pyrem. They are usually grown in 50 gms to 1.5 kgs in weight. They are harvested from along the sea cost of India and Pakistan.  They have been used as ornament in Nepal, Tibet, India and Burma for more than 4000 years. 

Conch shells made into beads, necklace closer, necklaces, pendants, belts, head ornaments.  In Tibet, they are  also use them as altar objects which are set with silver and decorated with turquoise and coral.

The conch shells are also very popular among the tribal people of Northeast India (who live in Nagaland and also Burma). The tribal people are called Nagas.  Nagas love conch shells and they have been wearing conch beads and jewelry for many centuries. Therefore, these conch shells are also known as Naga shells (They are named after these Naga tribal people).

These days, most of the conch shell beads and jewelry pieces come from Nepal.    There are many artisans who make these conch ornamental pieces in Nepal. The artisans are from Tibet and Nagaland who settled down in Nepal due to political conflict.  Conch shells go through many lengthy procedures to give them antique finish before making them into wearable art pieces. They are highly polished with sand paper, and then they are heat treated on fires which bring black veins on the pieces.  Conch shells are also inlaid with turquoise, coral, and lapis to fill the ditches on the conch pieces which looks like accents on the ornamental pieces.  Conch shells are also set with sterling silver and brass to make them into ornate beads, pendant and other jewelry findings from Nepal.