no to both questions from the biological point of view!

Bernd Sahlmann


----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Abela" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2005 11:14 PM
Subject: Re: Grading Sea Shells


> Hello all,
>
> A couple of questions for everyone.
> Does gem imply that the specimen is live collected?
> Personally, I think the answer should be no but a good friend of mine
> insists otherwise.
> And, it does bring up the concern of an operculum. Must a gem specimen
> have one?
>
> Cheers,
> Bob Abela
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 5:19 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Grading Sea Shells
>
>
> Good fer Tom;
>  Yes, you can find "Gems" on the beach. (Coquina, the occasional Olive) I
> have even found Gem Eps at low tide. The shell is so small, any flaws are
> hard to find.
>  I belong to that fraternity that includes all forms of government i.e. If
> it aint broke---fix it anyway!.
>     Art
> --
> PLEASE NOTE: My new, long-term, and correct email address is:
> [log in to unmask] Please update your records!
>
> ---- Tom Eichhorst <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> Jim and others,
>>
>> I applaud you on trying to ignite something, but I believe we are
>> beating a dead horse.  Shell grading is, after all is said and done,
>> subjective. Applying hard numbers; whether 1-10, 0-100, or
>> good-fair-gem with half-step pluses and minuses is, to quote an old
>> and horrible phrase, "like nailing jell-o to the wall" - just won't
>> work.  The present system, if limited to good, fair, and gem with
>> pluses and minus (singles only, please), leaves us 8 categories, or
>> 3-10 of Jim's system (and would 1 or 2 ever really be used?).
>> Actually, as I can't see using a plus or minus with "good," I guess it
>> leaves us with six categories.  Still, this ought to be sufficient
>> with such a subjective enterprise.  If we all adhere to as firm a
>> standard as possible within this system, i.e.
>>
>> gem = mature with NO flaws;
>> gem- = a minor flaw not readily discernable;
>> fine+ = a discernable minor flaw or two,
>> fine = a readily apparent flaw or two or a filed lip
>> fine- = large "reef scar," other evident flaws, broken spire, filed
>> lip; good = beached, worn with faded colors, major flaws;
>>
>> poor = I had to add this as I have a couple of shells that are closer
>> to rocks than shells.  I have a Cypraea valentia that I paid $10 for
>> (I just had to see what a $10 C. valentia would look like).  Whatever
>> you think, it is worse.
>>
>> Anyway, using this system (with none of this "gem for the species
>> nonsense), I have very few gem shells.  Gem seems mostly limited to
>> Cypraea and Marginella.  The species in most other genera always seem
>> to have one or two minor flaws; a tiny chip, surface scratch, etc.,
>> thus F+.  I have seen only a couple of gem cones.  If you pick up a
>> mature naticid or turrid and cannot SEE a flaw, than it is genuinely a
>> gem.  If you can find a minor flaw under magnification, then gem-,
>> etc.
>>
>> I find that when an established shell dealer says a shell is gem or
>> fine+, I know what to expect.  It is kind of a gestalt process, and
>> while far from a perfect system, it does seem that we all (globally)
>> pretty much understand it.  That alone is worth something.
>>
>> Tom Eichhorst
>>
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