Good point Travis, even though I have found minor flaws after some oil has
dried you can't mask a major defect with oiling. In my opinion oiling
enhances the appearance of most shells and also has a beneficial effect on
the shell by preventing the shell from drying out and becoming brittle. Mark
James Bethke
 
 
 
 
>Marlo and all,
>
>Don't buy shells that have been oiled??  I guess we'll all have to stop
buying
>shells. Very prominent and trustworthy dealers like  Donald Dan, Al
Deynzer,
>Rich Goldberg, just to name a few, all oil at least some of their shells,
and
>none of them are trying to mask any flaws, just bring out the existing
natural
>beauty.  Shells weren't meant to be dried out, after all.  I've bought a
lot
>of shells over the years, and I have never discovered a flaw hidden by
oiling
>that made me regret buying the shell.
>
>Travis Payne
>