SEVENSEAS Marine Conservation & Travel Issue 24, May 2017 | Page 97

Some 18 years ago, I first encountered the beautiful Camberlainia shell in Bangkok and Hua Hin tourist shops. The shells were so beautiful that I immediately purchased a dozen of them, not knowing what exactly I would do with them, other than to use them for decoration. The shell has incredibly brilliant iridescence ranging from blues to purples and burgundies, concentrated on one half inside and out.The other half is beautiful as well, but mainly white and grey.

Brandt (1974) wrote about tests to use nuclei from the shells for cultured pearls which were successful. The lustrous nacreous shell is utilized for various purposes. The meat is often eaten by local people and also used as feed for domestic animals. Now the Camberlainia is also used for pearl culture.

SEVENSEAS - 97

Sylvia Gottwald

jewely, fine art, & conservation

May 2017 - Art & Culture

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EXQUISITE ENDANGERED CHAMBERLAINIA HEINESIANA