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