I find that after soaking the shells in a strong bleach solution (and I mean
strong, I will even go for 90+ bleach) to shake them into the sink like a
thermometer, until you get the final soft parts out. Sometimes I put them
back into bleach for another treatment.  None of my shells have ever been
harmed by having been in 100% bleach. (I have never had land snails to worry
about, so I wont recommend you try it)

James I. Movich
EPC Sales
Citadon, Inc.
http://www.citadon.com/
858.638.0714 (W)
626.688.4472 - Cell
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-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Thomas E. Eichhorst
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2000 8:59 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Shell Trading

LaVerne,

I would recommend you go back to the old standby of a mixture of water and
bleach.  Make sure the murex are put in the solution spire down and maybe
swirl them around a bit to make sure you get the solution all the way into
the shell (wear gloves!!).  This will not hurt the colors of the shells.  I
have left shells in a mixture of half bleach and half water for literally
weeks (not intentionally) and no harm came to the shell (seashells only, not
land shells).  Then a strong rinse with the hose -- use a bit of pressure.
So, soak them, then lots of fresh water rinsing, and finally a bit of
silicone or mineral oil -- they'll look great (and maybe smell okay also).
If after all of this you still can't get rid of the smell, dump a spoon full
of baking soda into the aperture and plug it with cotton.  This doesn't work
with some shells as the rotting animal parts can damage the shell -- but
your murex will be okay.

Tom Eichhorst (in chilly, for this week at least, New Mexico, USA)