Some time ago i got quite disgusted with the state of grading -- less so with the upper grades, but more that so little could be deduced by descriptions of the lower grades. I also have always been perturbed by the poor quality of data that accompanies most shells. The limited number of dealers i work with now has more to do with the quality of the data i receive from them than anything else. Anyway, i tried to make up my own grading system, knowing that getting away from an age-old system would be likely impossible. Nevertheless it's been posted on my cumbersome website for some time. Just for those who might be interested and willing to comment, etc., i have posted a copy to my blog archives which will make it easier to read and find. I have no illusions that it will go anywhere, but i did work hard to come up with a fairly simple system that would provide much more information than the current system without allowing gross fudging on the grades. Dealers could be then held accountable for not "declaring" faults. WYSIWYG. all my best, tony g it's at: http://milkriver.blogspot.com/2004/12/env-about-grading-of-shells.html tony gallucci hunt, kerr county, texas, usa http://milkriver.blogspot.com http://flying.to/kerrfauna _________________________________________________________________ On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ----------------------------------------------------------------------