YES, THESE FAKES ARE ABOUT ONE YEAR ON THE MARKET. THE MUREX ARE GREAT -
beware of the white miyokoae sold as another species which is similar but
white (and from the Solomons) the LAMBIS are spectacular, and the Harpa are
real jewels.
The technique used they told me only last week: they boil the shell in oil
and then it turns cream. But to get it this very perfect white they put it
on the roof for about 2 to 3 months and the bright and strong Philippine
sunlight removes the remaining color.
They are amazingly inventive these people. In the coming weeks we will
figure the shells in a special section on www.conchology.be
Best regards, Guido
On 3/5/04 3:58 PM, "Andrew Grebneff" <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
>> I just had an offer for some very convincing "homemade" albino shells
>> from the Philippines - the home of the Shell Doctor. Just wanted to let
>> the list know this is going on more these days: i think it is a new
>> technique. Does anyone know how to tell a "homemade" albina from a
>> natural one, by the way??
>>
>> From the Great Melting North,
>> Ross.
>
> The white Perotrochus hirasei which are coming in some numbers from
> Taiwan SEEM to be genuine white specimens; the upper whorls are
> reddish, but this fades in a "natural" gradation to white or
> offwhite. I also have very pale-apricot specimens.
>
> The odd white Telescopium is turning up, and these are very striking.
> I suspect that these are normally pigmented by melanins, and further
> suspect that these pigments are very resistant, and that the white
> specimens are genuine... mine had traces of periostracum and animal
> remaining, and not carbonized by heat, either.
>
> Provocator mirabilis DOES have a white form, but can also be faked by
> high heat, as I discovered by accident.
>
> Peristernia reincarnata has a true white form also.
>
> Some fakes may be obvious some (possible signs: excessive
> heat-crazing of inductura, excessive number of stress-fractures eg in
> Cypraea margins, uneven whiteness), but others will not be
> diagnosable with any certainty.
>
> Most truly white abnormalities are doubtfully albino.
> --
> Andrew Grebneff
> Dunedin, New Zealand
> 64 (3) 473-8863
> <[log in to unmask]>
> Fossil preparator
> Seashell, Macintosh & VW/Toyota van nut
> ________________________________
> I want your sinistral gastropods!
> ________________________________
> Opinions in this e-mail are my own, not those of my institution
> _______________________________________________
> A: Because it reverses the logical flow of conversation.
> Q: Why is top posting frowned upon?
>
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