Aloha & Kumusta!
I just returned from Asia. I traded large Hawaiian Tigers & Cypraea
sulcidentata for some shells at the beginning of my trip. Towards the end
i saw some of my shells with other dealers. The Tigers read "from new
Camotes location" & were going for +$300ea! The sulcidentata were tagged
as "a new deep-water Philippine variation of kuroharai" & going for
+$500ea! A well-known CA dealer dropped-off Haliotis & Oliva porphyphia &
a Japanese dealer had dropped some Indonesian species for exchange. Alot
of deep-water New Caledonia material too. You really need to be careful on
who you get your shells from!

Even some "professional" dealers are questionable. I've seen one dealer
write info for a customer that he knew was faked just to appease her. Of
course i knew it was fake because i was at the source when he purchased
the shell. Good info is a must. Most collectors will respect you more if
you honestly say you're not sure on the info as to making it up. In our
hobby knowing your species & who you buy it from is a must!    CHRIS:)

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