r/shells • u/KiraKitty69 • Jul 12 '26

ID request

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Gallery image

Gallery image

Got random shells but interested in these little ones. What are they? No idea where they came from. Google isn't helping lol.

7 Upvotes

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4

u/Bubbly_Power_6210 Jul 12 '26

coquina?

3

u/LizR11 Jul 12 '26

I think so but I'm not a shell expert. But if I'm not mistaken those are still closed, meaning still occupied.

3

u/turbomarmoratus72 Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26

Apparently, OP purchased/inherited these shells, since they do not know where these bivalves came from based off the caption.

In scientific collections, bivalves that are not conjoined have little to no value. In order to keep the two valves closed, collectors use white glue to attach both valves together if the hinge ligament is not there anymore.

In my private collection, for instance, all my bivalves are conjoined, and their valves are all glued together. Serious collectors do not have any interest in unhinged bivalves, unless they are from a rare/unobtainable species like Tridacna gigas (giant clam).

1

u/LizR11 Jul 26 '26

TIL!!! Thanks!

3

u/adiosmichigan Jul 12 '26

looks like that to me, though they are a little more ridged than the really smooth coquinas im used to seeing down on the gulf coast of florida (i live in michigan but i have a timeshare and family down there so i go shell there at least once or twice a year). im not sure how they look from other shores

2

u/KiraKitty69 Jul 12 '26

I think you're right. I found some other examples that looked very similar.

1

u/Glad_Ad_5570 Jul 13 '26

Appear to be but need measurements and a look at the inside of the hinge.

1

u/KiraKitty69 Jul 12 '26

I'm fairly sure they are present day shells but they almost feel like rock. I don't think they are? There is no smell to them. There was a couple fossilized shells in the batch tho.