Nancy, This color form is indeed caused by a constant intake of iron oxide. In my year on Guam (two decades back), a local dive shop owner ('Hap' Chapman) had several "Golden" Tiger cowries which he had collected alive from the wrecks in Apra Harbor, including the 'SMS Cormoran' and 'Tokai maru'. Bob Dayle (a.k.a. makuabob) http://www.cowrys.org _________________________________________________________________ Get MSN 8 Dial-up Internet Service FREE for one month. Limited time offer-- sign up now! http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/dialup