Aloha!
Another Cebu fake. I saw a few of these a few weeks ago on Mactan. Add this
up to the fossil Barycypraea caputviperae from limestone quarry pits in Java
that some Ebayers try to sell as "deep-netted live fultoni from the
Philippines", polished large Oliva annulata that they pass-off as WRS Oliva
vicdani, or the ever popular semi-fossilized Cypraea carneola from harbor
dredgings that they swear are a new live deep-water Volute species.

They boil them in alcohol in rice pots slowly because the boiling
temperature of alcohol is much lower than water. The reason? Less stress
cracks caused by heating & a change of color. They also wrap thin lead
strips with a soldering iron on them all night to create bands &
mis-coloration. The end result is quite impressive only as a decorative piece.

So who to trust? Most dealers are genuine collectors & shell fanciers and
will take care of you. Others only care about making a fast buck then
getting out by changing they're name or location. Most advanced dealers &
collectors know who the bad ones are, which is unfortunate for the
beginners. Our hobby is fragile & is slowly losing interest by wildlife
restrictions & the occasional rip-off artist.

If a honest dealer makes a mistake by listing a fake & it's pointed out to
them most will take-off that listing. A bad reputation in our shell world
travels fast! Our local HMS shell club meeting next week Wed will feature a
prominent member who will give a lecture via Power Point on his computer on
spotting faked doctored shells & how the process is done.

Good job spotting this oddity Shea, I noticed it too.    Mahalo!  CHRIS:)

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