Re: the quite legitimate question on how do dealers select which
specimen  or set to send to a given  customer:  I have no idea what the
"common practice" is, or if there is one.  Personally, if the customer
makes no specific requests and i do not know their preferences
(color/pattern, size, overall visual impact, scientific value or
interest, etc.), i just sent the "best" overall example of the requested
item which i have at the time.  If i know a customer has specific
preferences,  I do my best to accomodate them- for example, some people
are ultra-quality fiends (i call them "gem maniacs", but treat them
with the respect all customers deserve!!), some would prefer a more
colorful specimen to a more perfect one (given a choice, ie!!), some are
turned on by large size, some are more interested in the scientific
value or interest of a given specimen or variation set, etc... So i
guess the best advice i can give to people purchasing mail order shells
is to give the dealer your preferences, whether in general, or for
specific items!!
 
-Ross M.