Hi Paul,
 
Isn't it true that the color bands in many land shells is composed of
periostracum, and that periostracum being organic, will be eradicated by
bleach? Is this true of all land shells or just certain groups, and if so,
can someone tell us which ones are bleach-susceptible?  I seem to remember
that all Liguus are colored by their periostracum.
 
Also, Paul, you describe Helicostyla pan both before and after bleach.  Is
it recommended that one show the species which have periostracum forming
their color both with and without their colorful outer "skin"?
 
Lynn Scheu busy digging out from under 10 days' email after a trip to
Oregon, and recuperating from some horrendous Oregon brand of flu, doubtless
blown in out there by El Nino. If any of you meet anyone with the wretched
stuff...don't be polite, don't stop to trade shells... just run away!
 
>Holiday Greetings All!
>
>I hope that you haven't all rushed off and turned your Helicostyla florida
>specimens into albinos, based on my previous posting about land shells and
>bleach.  I thought that H. florida was one of the species I had successfully
>cleaned with bleach in the past, but after posting this information, I had a
>nagging doubt, so I tried one just to be sure.  OOPS!  H. florida is NOT a
>bleach-stable species - it comes out white as snow.
>
>While on the subject, Helicostyla pan is another interesting one - a very
>interesting shell, both before and after bleaching - arguably more attractive
>after bleaching.  Before bleaching it has multiple spiral bands ranging from
>deep chocolate brown through lighter brown, tan, and white.  After bleaching,
>the bands are gone.  The lower half of the body whorl is deep chocolate brown,
>which extends up along the suture line.  Upper half of the body whorl is tan,
>fading to white near the brown suture.  The shell has a nice gloss, which of
>course is not visible when the periostracum is intact.
>
>Regards,
>Paul M.
>
>