Hi, Ross!

I've got a tip for you about fading pigments.  I thought
it was crazy until I tried it.  You know the Philippine
rosy red Conus pertussus, which fades like the dickens
even when kept in the dark.  John Bernard, who often is
full of rather odd comments, told me to soak of the oil on
newly acquired specimens, and then spray the shell(s) with
WD40.  Honest!  It works!  I asked one of our fresh water
malacologists why, and he said if the fading was due to
oxidation, the WD40 would prevent the air from getting to
the shells, thus no fading, or at least very little
fading.
You might try it!

I'm knee deep in preparing shells out of the collection
the club bought for an oral auction, and then for the
presents everyone gets at the club Christmas party.  I
found a Murex bequarti in the lot the other day, left over
from the days of Black's dredgings (and thus I have the
detailed data, as I was in on the large order of many of
our club members at that time.

Have a good day - we have been having Indian Summer here -
it was 87 on Monday.

God bless you,
Linda