Wes,
  You comment on the fact that less than gem shells have utility.  How
true.  I would prefer to purchase 10 or 20 "good" shells from a dealer
rather than 1 or 2 "gem" shells.  Why?  The greater the number of shells
that I have the better I can study intraspecific variation and the such.
Only twice have I seen dealers carry "good" pectinidae.  Both times I made
purchases.  Now I would like to pose the question to our dealers...Ross,
Brian, etc...'Is it feasible for you to carry less than fine-gem material?
Have you tried it in the past and taken a loss on it?  Are you willing to
set up deals with specific individuals if you knew that you would not get
stuck with the material?'  Looking forward to hearing your comments.
 
By the way, I tend to collect mostly fossil material; I do not live
collect; whatever recent material I have is beach collected or for
terrestrial/freshwater material also collected dead.  Trust me, the recent
specimens that I collect are in general only to be considered good, at
best f-.  I for one would buy if more was available.
 
Charlie
***************************************************************************
 
Charlie Sturm, Jr
Clinical Instructor - Family Medicine
  University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Research Associate - Section of Invertebrate Zoology
  Carnegie Museum of Natural History
 
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On Fri, 16 Jan 1998, Wesley M. Thorsson wrote:
 
> Ross:
>
> I for one agree with you.  If you enjoy your collection, it has
> performed its function.
>
> As to dead shells:  To consider a "GEM" dead shell as an inferior
> product is completely ecologically nonproductive.  Particularly when
> most people have no interest in periostracum and promptly and completely
> remove what makes the live shells more scientifically valuable.  When
> most people do not give two hoots about the operculum and turn up their
> noses when a shell does not have one is rediculous.
>
> When HMS was starting the shell grading system, I objected strongly to a
> proposed statement that no one should be interested in "GOOD" or poorer
> shells.  Many people can't afford to buy one of the high cost, rare
> shells, but can spring for a poor specimen.  If it has some or many of
> the characteristics of the GEM live shell, I believe it contributes to
> their collection.
>
> Aloha,
>
> Wes
>