How often do conchologists grow mollusks to adulthood specifically to create
gem shells? Moth and butterfly collectors do this frequently. Some
ecologists even promote the set-up of "butterfly farms" in tropical regions.
Ideally at least, these can help to sustain the populations of rare animals
and also the plants and habitats that they require, while giving native
people an income, motives to preserve the environment, and pride in doing
so. The farms send pupae to butterfly houses in other countries for
emergence on display, and some of them also kill insects immediately after
emergence to ensure perfect mounted specimens to sell to collectors. At the
end of the day, it's not very natural, and abuses could be pointed out, but
when applied properly, the farming does help to preserve species and
habitats that are increasingly under threat.

Is anything analogous going on in conchology? For example, are certain
habitats protected specifically for the growth of specimens for sale to
collectors (as opposed to farms for pearl oysters or conchs)? Are mollusks
raised in aquaria or in pools to make gem-quality shells? Why not?

Concerning another aspect of shell grading, one would have to apply the
system carefully to fossils. Most species of fossils are not available in
gem or even fine condition, so a collector may rhapsodize over a broken
shell that is nevertheless the most complete and beautiful example of its
species. For instance, Pteria limula (Conrad, 1833) is common in the middle
Eocene Gosport Sand of Alabama, and as Conrad pointed out, the shell is
"very pearly and iridescent", but I don't think I've ever seen a complete
valve, much less a complete shell, of this fragile species. Like antiquarian
book dealers, we should admit to flaws ("this edition is scarcely available
in complete form") but also point out positive features ("the usually
missing frontispiece is present in this volume").

Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama

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