Hello Conch-L, I am forwarding this question from another website. If anyone can help this person, please respond to her directly, as she is not on Conch-L . . . . . I just returned from Hawaii, where I found a huge cowrie and brought it home. A part of the mollusk is still inside and I cannot seem to remove it. I took some cleaning tips from this website [not Conch-L], and used alchohol to get rid of the smell, but now the exterior looks damaged. Plus, I still don't know how to get rid of the mollusk. Can anyone help me and give me some good advice?? All help is greatly appreciated. I don't want to damage the shell, but it looks like I may already have. Thanks, Suz Andreasen Email: [log in to unmask]