This is to all of the die hards who insist on using mineral oil on their
shells instead of a newer product like silicone.  I was and mostly still
am a silicone proponent (several jokes come to mind).  However,
sometimes the old ways are really best.

I recently received two Cypraeacassis coarctata.  They were supposed to
be C. tenuis at a great price - but stuff like that happens.  It was an
old collection and they were improperly identified back in 1975.  The
guy I bought them from had no idea, he just went by the data slip which
said they were C. tenuis and worth $80.  I got them on the Ebay auction
for about $10, fully knowing they may be busted up or a common species.
Anyway, they are from an old collection and the dorsal surfaces looked
horrible; very dry, faded, and dull.  I sprayed them both with silicone
waiting for the usual miracle of color and gloss.  Nothing.  The shells
ate up the silicone like it was water in the desert.  I sprayed, and
sprayed, and sprayed -- all to no avail.  Finally I went in the pantry
and got my old jar of mineral oil (the stuff does tend to last a long,
long time).  I gave each shell a thick coating, waited 30 minutes and
wiped it off.  Both shells now have the appearance they should have (to
my way of thinking).

So to all of those who touted mineral oil, it still has some great
qualities.  For silicone fans, it works great -- but not all of the
time.  And for the WD-40 hold outs, I wish I had thought to try that on
one of the shells, but I did not.  Maybe next time.

Just thought I would share, see ya,

Tom Eichhorst in New Mexico, USA