There are several species that are exported by the ton for shellcraft work
(no exaggeration - some exporters actually list a per/ton price). These
include Cypraea moneta, Cypraea annulus, Cypraea tigris, Cypraea
caputserpentis, Voluta vespertilio, Trochus niloticus, Turbo argyrostomus,
Turbo chrysostomus, Murex cichoreus, Pyrene scripta, Strombus luhuanus,
Strombus canarium, Strombus urceus, Umbonium vestiarium, and perhaps a few
others. Hippopus hippopus and Tridacna squamosa were also available by the
ton before the ban on Tridacnidae went into effect. A number of other
species are also exported in large quantities for shellcraft, though I don't
recall seeing them offered by the ton. These include Haliotis asinina,
Strombus aurisdianae, Strombus lentiginosus, Lambis lambis, Angaria
delphinus, Cypraea arabica, Cypraea vitellus, Tectarius coronatus, Pyrene
ocellata, Natica vitellus, and others.
Paul M.
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