Hello all,
A couple of questions for everyone.
Does gem imply that the specimen is live collected?
Personally, I think the answer should be no but a good friend of mine insists otherwise.
And, it does bring up the concern of an operculum. Must a gem specimen have one?
Cheers,
Bob Abela
-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 5:19 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Grading Sea Shells
Good fer Tom;
Yes, you can find "Gems" on the beach. (Coquina, the occasional Olive) I have even found Gem Eps at low tide. The shell is so small, any flaws are hard to find.
I belong to that fraternity that includes all forms of government i.e. If it aint broke---fix it anyway!.
Art
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PLEASE NOTE: My new, long-term, and correct email address is: [log in to unmask] Please update your records!
---- Tom Eichhorst <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Jim and others,
>
> I applaud you on trying to ignite something, but I believe we are
> beating a dead horse. Shell grading is, after all is said and done,
> subjective. Applying hard numbers; whether 1-10, 0-100, or
> good-fair-gem with half-step pluses and minuses is, to quote an old
> and horrible phrase, "like nailing jell-o to the wall" - just won't
> work. The present system, if limited to good, fair, and gem with
> pluses and minus (singles only, please), leaves us 8 categories, or
> 3-10 of Jim's system (and would 1 or 2 ever really be used?).
> Actually, as I can't see using a plus or minus with "good," I guess it
> leaves us with six categories. Still, this ought to be sufficient
> with such a subjective enterprise. If we all adhere to as firm a
> standard as possible within this system, i.e.
>
> gem = mature with NO flaws;
> gem- = a minor flaw not readily discernable;
> fine+ = a discernable minor flaw or two,
> fine = a readily apparent flaw or two or a filed lip
> fine- = large "reef scar," other evident flaws, broken spire, filed
> lip; good = beached, worn with faded colors, major flaws;
>
> poor = I had to add this as I have a couple of shells that are closer
> to rocks than shells. I have a Cypraea valentia that I paid $10 for
> (I just had to see what a $10 C. valentia would look like). Whatever
> you think, it is worse.
>
> Anyway, using this system (with none of this "gem for the species
> nonsense), I have very few gem shells. Gem seems mostly limited to
> Cypraea and Marginella. The species in most other genera always seem
> to have one or two minor flaws; a tiny chip, surface scratch, etc.,
> thus F+. I have seen only a couple of gem cones. If you pick up a
> mature naticid or turrid and cannot SEE a flaw, than it is genuinely a
> gem. If you can find a minor flaw under magnification, then gem-,
> etc.
>
> I find that when an established shell dealer says a shell is gem or
> fine+, I know what to expect. It is kind of a gestalt process, and
> while far from a perfect system, it does seem that we all (globally)
> pretty much understand it. That alone is worth something.
>
> Tom Eichhorst
>
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