Nothing to do with shells.
      It has been lore that: No two snowflakes are alike. I don't belive it. How do we know that a snowflake that falls in Cleveland doesn't have it's look-a-like in Colorado---or Geneva---or Fairbanks.
      Who looks at snowflake shapes? How many are observed? Maybe there are a couple of million shapes. But there are trillions of snowflakes.
     Wanna comment?
        Art


--
PLEASE NOTE: My new, long-term, and correct email address is: [log in to unmask] Please update your records!

---- [log in to unmask] wrote:
> Just one other thought re: grading.  Different families are subject to different flaws. A Murex pecten should have all its spines. Cones don't have spines. Is it possible to write a standard grading system for each of the principle shell families?
>       HSN could publish such a system each month for different families.
>               Art
>
> --
> PLEASE NOTE: My new, long-term, and correct email address is: [log in to unmask] Please update your records!
>
> ---- Simon Wilson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > I'm a diver and semi regular purchaser of specimen seashells.
> >
> > I think the 1-10 scale makes sense but imagine there is low chance of this being accepted.
> > When purchasing shells good quality photo's are a must, I also like good accurate data.
> > Things like man made faults eg. chip's or stains from cleaning I really hate and avoid like the plague, but some natural faults like a healed fish bite, certain growth lines I can accept.
> > I only purchase from trusted dealers, mistakes are always made eg a small chip is missed etc. No one is perfect. Then with good dealers this can be discussed.
> >
> > When rating the shells I find, I tend to be more critical and often an exceptional shell with a fault will rate higher than a standard shell with a smaller fault. It also comes down to the species, many cool water shells from where I dive never come near to gem, there are always growth lines.
> >
> > In the end it's all down to personal choice.
> >
> > I think a 1-10 scale with photo's is the way to go with gradings in the digital age!!
> >
> >
> > Regards,
> > Simon Wilson
> > Melbourne, Australia
> >
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