Seashell Information

Seashell Pick 'n Mix

Sugar Starfish 4 to 6 cms

We have just received some beautiful dried sugar starfish all the way from South America where these orangey brown “sea stars” can be found washed up on the beach. These are very popular but relatively hard to source here in the UK. Their granular texture which gives the appearance (but certainly not the taste) of sugar is the reason for their name. Another big seller for nautical weddings and interior designers looking for coastal style. If you require these in a size not listed here please email us as new styles and varieties are being sourced on a weekly basis.

£2.25 each
£10 for 5

Sugar Starfish 8 to 10 inches

We do have some lovely starfish in right now, red/pink pointers, tiger starfish, knobbly starfish and even longspine starfish but these are probably the prettiest for individual nautically inspired decor and have an incredible texture likened to sugar and hence their name. Buy while stocks last!

£4.99 each
£12 for 3

Longspine Murex Indivia

Ever popular murex sea shells are quite often colourful but our murex indivia shells are just as renowned for their ornate structure and spiney body which does make them prickly to touch - still, that should keep them from disappearing too frequently from your display. We think these display best with pearlised trochas and white pointer starfish as the black and white body of these shells works with neutral colours.

9 to 10 cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Conus Figulinus

We think these have striking markings and they are also known as fig cones, to be found in the Indian Ocean mainly in the area from Madagscar to Tanzania. Don't be fooled by their beautiful natural design, the family of snails that would reside within one of these cones is predatory, venemous and probably not on Friends Reunited. When alive in the sea it's worth admiring their interesting striped designs from greyish brown to chestnut but pick one up and it'll probably sting you. We have several other types of unusual cones in store at any given time, if you'd like to mix some of these with other cone shells it's always worth emailing us as we may be able to recommend other types that would compliment our fig cones.

6 to 8 cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Black Spotted Triton

Yet again, we find something unusual to offer you while stocks last - our black spotted tritons look pretty alongside our larger tritons to be found on our "large shells" page, and although tritons can grow in size up to 20 inches, they do of course rise in price with size quite substantially. Entry level triton here with all the stories to tell? A spectacular natural shell.

10 to 12 cms

£3.99 each
£7 for 2
£10 for 3

Spondylus Chinensis - DG098

These beautiful seashells are sought after by collectors and we are often low on stock levels. Neolithic people (the ones that nearly looked like us but had hairier arms about 5000 years ago) were making bangles from these for fun but we'd probably consider them a bit thorny and spiky for our wrists these days. Some of these seashells will open down the middle and create 2 shells or even one open shell and although we sell them as unopened pairs, you could split some of them and double your money. Great value, beautiful colours.

7 to 9 cms

£2.95 each
£15 for 6
£20 for 10

Banded Green Turbo Shell - DG017

A pretty polished seashell with a pearlized band carved through the back of the shell and a nice pearly aperture. They look great combined with the fully pearlized trocas we sell on this page. Having a pearlized band helps them blend in very interestingly with these and other neutral coloured shells.

5 to 6 cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Harpa Shells - DG039

Part of the family Harpidae, these shells with rich shades of caramel to brown can be found in the Indian and Pacific oceans. A great addition to any shell collection.

8 to 10 cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Longspine Starfish - DG003

Our longspine starfish are a neutral brown in colour and are much larger in depth than our pointer starfish. These really are quite unusual and you don't need as many of these to create a display feauture due to their size. Colours may of course vary. Please email for a quote regarding larger quantities.

Minimum 22cms

£3.99 each
£7 for 2
£15 for 5

Melon Shell or Indian Volute - DGSH61

Melon Shells or Indian Volutes are mostly from South East Asia and are often collected for food by local fishermen, although these shells do also produce pearls. The fishermen will use these large seashells for bailing water from their boats too. They can be very large shells and the colourings are striking ranging from pale orange to a light yellow in parts, with the contrasting brown markings. These certainly stand out in any shell collection or display.

24 cms

£24.95 each
£40 for 2

These shells are also available at 15 to 18 cms size

£5.99 each
£10 for 2

Murex Haustellum

These unique lovely coloured delicate shells are from the family of murcidae and the long spike growing away from the base almost looks like a tail. Great addition to interesting shell displays. They always attract a lot of attention when we have these shells for sale in our shop. We have other beautiful murex shells to buy alongside this slightly less easy to find variety.

Minimum 8cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Murex Negrispinosis

Another shell from our collection of murex shells and these do have some similarities to the aptly named venus comb shell. Perhaps the spines would have been used for similar purposes - to keep unfriendly sea creatures away and stop them sinking deep in to the mud at the bottom of the sea! Beautiful additions to shell collections and displays.

Minimum 8 cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Cloth of Gold Cone Shell

Cloth of Gold Cones are also known as textile cones, and when down in the deep blue seas of warm tropical waters are one of the most dangerous sea shells to handle. They can do to us what crocodiles and hammerhead sharks get more press for doing and will make one of these a talking point in your shell collection or display. The female textile cone lays several hundred eggs at a time so this is another interesting fact worth mentioning to admirers! Popular as wedding seashell decorations.

Minimim 7 cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Map Cowrie Shell

The image shows the base and back of our charming map cowrie shells. A relative of the ubiquitous shell of our childhood - the tiger cowrie, if you have a map cowrie you've got something a little different and these shells with a map-like design on their top are fascinating to look at. The top of the shell has a wonderful caramel brown colour and we
think they look good displayed grouped with bases and backs showing - go on, take ten for a unique nautical display!

Minimim 6.5 cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Lambis Scorpius

Lambis Scorpius is the common name for these attractive shapely conch shells. They are a beautiful species of large sea snail and are more delicate and pointed than other conch shells, with each finger looking quite like a scorpion's tail. These are certainly one of our favourites and we like to display these alongside our knobbly starfish. They are a rich orangey brown with darker colouring around the lip of the shell.

10 to 14 cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Pointer or Finger Starfish

Minimum 7 inches

Our pointer starfish can be purchased if required in an assortment of colours. We often use these as part of our window display and most bulk purchases are for nautical or shell themed weddings. Super little gifts which look great anywhere in the home too. Larger sizes available with best prices by request. We aim to not be beaten on prices for our shells and starfish and will attempt to beat any price comparisons submitted to us. Please e mail for bulk purchases.

Available in Blue, White or Red

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Sets of three white wooden starfish are also available on our Decorative Items page.

Smaller Pointer Starfish
We also have pointer starfish available in a smaller size - minimum 5 inches.

£1.95 each
£15 for 10

Tiger Starfish 10 to 15 cms - QT4111

Light, brightly coloured compact and hardy with an interesting shape - one of our Top 10 pick up lines in the shop, these jungle star fish are great for weddings, collecting, craft shows or beach decor themed rooms, hanging in nets or even your office desk ... they fit in anywhere! Please e-mail or phone for bulk purchases

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Knobbly Starfish - minimum 3 inches wide

Of all the starfish we sell these are the ones that our customers pick up, look at, feel the texture of and talk to one another about. Personally, we prefer the tigers and the pointers but there's something about knobbly star fish that captures the imagination of the public and it's probably not just the name! Yep, they have knobbles and are a rustic ocean like colour - they've got the octopus in them we suppose. Defintely an interesting and beautiful sea creature but be quick as stock often runs low. Please e-mail or phone for bulk purchases

£2.50 each
£5 for 3
£15 for 10

Tiger Cowries 6-7 cms - KT4013

Very interesting to look at and these dome shaped shells have been used as currency in several parts of the world over the centuries, although we prefer payment in sterling. Probably the most popular seashells for sale in our shops bought by adults for children and one for them to listen to the sea in. Please e-mail or phone for bulk orders.

£0.99 each
£10 for 15

Egg Cowrie Shells

Our egg cowries are from the same family as the tiger cowries but clearly very white with some colouring inside the lip. The neutral colour makes these a favourite of "grown ups" whilst the tiger cowries on this same page are generally purchased by and for little people in our shops. These ones are great as wedding favours and we recommend them mixed and displayed with pearlized trocas.

7 to 9 cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Orange Spider Conch - DGSH71

As the name implies a little more orange around the lip than our other small conchs and they have an interesting look to them from both sides as illustrated in our picture.

13 to 14 cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Carved Marlin Spike Sea Shell

These beautiful carved and polished auger Indo Pacific shells are one of our favourites and are striking in their appearance. We sell these polished at a great price and they retain a natural appearance due to their sandy tigery colour and wonderful shape. These are very popular with our corporate clients but several grouped together in a glass jar or as a window display will create a striking shell decoration in the most "beachy" or contemporary home. Also great table decorations for a sea shell themed wedding.

8 to 13 cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Tonna Allium Sea Shells

We're always surprised how beautiful these devils of the sea look in any seashell display. If you made the mistake of shrinking to several inches in height and swimming past one deep in Indo Pacific waters the chances are a marine snail of inferior size to you would emerge from the pretty brown lined shell and eat you for breakfast. Having said that, they are stunning shells with soft brown and cream lines which make for an excellent shell decoration in beach decor themed rooms.

8 to 10 centimetres

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Kamtscha Red Abalones Sea Shell

We're sure you'll agree that these delicate, harder to find, unusual red/green oval shaped abalones are very beautiful. Abalones are of course edible and can be found in most corners of the world in cold waters. They're also known as ear shells (well they are ear shaped!) and muttonfish - that's probably due to the flesh being considered rather tasty in Australia. Our picture shows both side of the shell and these look lovely alongside our pink cabibe shells.

5 to 8cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Pink Cabibe Mussel Sea Shell 10cm (4ins) upwards

If we say so ourselves, these are really stunning shells and at a whopping minimum of 4 inches across are certainly big enough to display all on their own. These are polished and we have a spread of these with turbo sarmaticus in our very own bathroom! Great for weddings and any event requiring shell decoration too. We recently sent out a quantity of these where the wedding party were writing the individual seating list on the tip of these pink coral coloured shells. Not always easy to source so please email info@dorsetgifts.com for bulk purchase orders.

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Murex Shell 8 to 10 cm ( 3 to 4 ins)

The popularity of these shallow water murex shells can probably be found in the fact that they're twisty turny shells with lots of interesting shape to them and can be displayed pink lip up, pink lip down or on just about any of their sides as the brushed brown on white looks as pretty as the pink open lip of the shell. Lovely additions to shell collections for both inside and outside your home and they look great grouped with pectin scallops in a shell decoration. The Romans used these shells 2000 years ago to produce a purple blue indigo dye which was secreted from the glands inside the shell. They are abundant along the west coast of Africa to this very day and can also to be found on European Atlantic shores. Please e-mail or call to buy shells at bulk prices.

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Brown Heart Cockle - DG4056 - 8 to 10 cms

These are quite heavy and found in sheltered sandy beaches and shallow tropical waters of the Western Pacific. You are buying a whole cockle but they can of course easily open as shown to separate the two interesting shapes of the heart. The reddish brown colours make this shell an easy one to mix with lighter seashells displayed on this page.

£2.95 each

Sputnik Sea Urchin 5 to 8 cms

We call these our "designer" shells, because a lot of interior designers like to buy these in bulk. They're bobbly and bubbly and there's nothing else out there quite like them, but please note they are a very fragile shell so are probably best out of the reach of younger members of the household. A tube foot or gill would once have extended out of each of the small holes you can see in the picture. The raised tubercles would have supported a spine. You can therefore show these to your friends and have the opportunity to use the word "tubercle" which is clearly one of the lesser used but most beautiful in the English Language. Grouped together these beautiful sea urchins create a wonderful effect. You're staring in to the eyes of the natural world! On a tastier note, still very much considered a delicacy on dining tables from Sumatra to Zanzibar! If you are fond of beach decor, these are an ideal addition to your room. Please e-mail or call to buy seashells at bulk prices.

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Also available in the smaller size of 4 to 6 cms

£1.45 each

Tigerina Mussels - polished 8 to 10cm

Another striking shell with good weight behind it and polished tigerina clam shells aren't too easy to source, so if you do require a larger quantity please email info@dorsetgifts.com first so we can give you a definite dispatch date. These are quite beautiful shells and as with all our shell products come to you from sustainable and renewable sources.

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Pearlised Troca Shell 5 to 7 cm

We love our cone shaped trocas. They're hardy, heavy, chunky pieces and if a customer picks a dozen shells in our shop there's always one of these in the pile. These ones are a little smaller than some of our other shells although we periodically have larger pearlised trocas in stock. These sell very well as the silvery colour mixes in well with other shells in a display collection. They are very popular as wedding shell decorations. Please e-mail or call to buy seashells at bulk prices.

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Carved Pearlized Trochas

Spiral pearlized trochas have been carved to create this unique spirally effect - worth a couple of these in amongst other trocha shells to compare their versitality!

5 to 6 cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Marble Cone - Conus Mamoreus 8-10 cms - QT4010

Sometimes referred to as just "cones" these polished intricately patterned shells are probably the most popular and collectible in the shop. They look especially good in small clusters anywhere around the home. Please e-mail or call to buy shells at bulk prices

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Mitre Shells 4 to 5 inches - QT 4026

These brightly coloured and vibrant orange shells are actually named after the peaked pointed hats worn by members of the clergy. The live and feed in warm shallow seas. Our ones are larger than most you see on the internet and the orange squares make this a "must have" addition to any collection. Please e-mail for bulk discounts.

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Pectin Scallop Shells 5 to 8 cms - QT4033

Double sided in assorted colours. These beautiful light scallop shells come in mixed colours. We will evenly sort out a balanced mix of colours for all bulk purchases. If you are choosing one shell than we usually send a lighter colour unless your order is accompanied with a specific colour request.

£0.99 each
£6.95 for 10
Please e-mail or phone for bulk prices

Lambis Chiraga - Spider Conch 5 to 6 ins

An Indo Pacific shallow water shell with fingerlike projections and pretty markings. These shells are a species of large sea snail and perfect in fishnet displays or as house decorations. Please e-mail for bulk price.

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Turbo Sarmaticus 7-8cms - QT4080

Probably our prettiest and most delicate shell. These have been copper dyed and polished to perfection to enhance the beautiful colours of these natural shells. Lovely against oak, mahogany or other dark woods. Please e-mail for bulk buying discount.

£5.95 each
£25 for 5

Scallop Shells - minimum 4 inches across

The fishermen take their boats out upon the seas off the coast of the British Isles where some of them fish for scallops. Most of those scallops end up in restaurants throughout Britain and this makes for a very ecological reason to use the scallop shells for other means in the home. Our customers clean them and use as a dining plate, with tea lights, as soap dishes or as shell craft objects ..... they're beautiful. It's a British beach shell from our home waters so sits comfortably in our homes - make use of a few. Please Dorset Gifts customers - these scallop shells are straight from the ocean so may need a little cleaning. Please e-mail for bulk buying discount

99p each
£7 for 10
£12 for 20

Judd's Scallop Shells

Beautiful purple colours abound in our unpaired Judd's scallop shells - by unpaired we mean that they do not have two scallop sides as illustrated in our pectin scallops, but these really are the shells to mix in with larger shell displays and supplies are limited at this price. Our preferred shell scattered amongst mini purple clams (see Craft Shells page).

4.5 to 7 cms

35p each
£3 for 10
£15 for 50

Polished Babylon Shells - DGSH49

Distinctive Brown spiral markings on our beautiful Babylon seashells from Asia. These shells are thin and light which helps reflect colours through them when placed in front of a light source. One of our best sellers.

5cms and up

£1.50 each
£12 for 10
£20 for 20

Shell Basket with Starfish 6ins - KT4052

Much larger than the usual shell baskets seen on the internet and with an interesting collection of African and Asian shells. We do have smaller and larger sizes although the 8 inch shell baskets represent the best value for money.

£7.99 each
£20 for 3
Please e-mail for bulk purchases

Large bag of polished shells

Our larger shell bags of polished shells come with bigger shells than the smaller 350 grammes unpolished shell bags below. They weigh approximately 700 grammes and contain about twenty different and interesting varities of shell which are of a size that we could sell individually in the shop. They will include polished trochas, scallops, snails, murexes and cowries and represent great value showing lots of colours. The shells on average probably size at 5 centimetres and a couple of shell bags will create a great shell display or theme for the home. A good way to buy an interesting variety of attractive shells.

£7.99 each
£15 for 2

Net Shell Bag 350g (15137)

Excellent roped shell bags weighing 350 grammes. An interesting selection of beach shells. Please email us for special rates when considering bulk purchases of these shell bags.

£2.95

Mini Shell Pack on Clam Shell Base

Used as sea themed home decorations, gifts or wedding favours these tiny pretty little packs of interesting assorted shells, to include a miniature starfish come wrapped in a clear film and weigh a little over 100 grammes for each pack. The clam shell they rest on is, of course, the largest shell and once unwrapped will act as a base for the small shell assortment on top. We sell these alongside the larger 350 grammes bags above for our customers wanting to create a interesting shell display. They also mix in well with our lighter coloured craft shells.

Approx 3" diameter and 2" top to bottom.

£2.75 each
£20 for 10

Saddle Shell Wind Chime

These purple saddle shells are unique and very unusual. Importantly, when a light wind is blowing the sound they make is quite beautiful. Three together creates a calming seaside sound and pleasant look. They have five large saddle shells and a nylon thread connecting them all with a simple loop at the top for hanging.

Minimum 30cms long from top to bottom.

£6.99 each
£12 for 2
£15 for 3

Heart Cockle Shell Garland

Our heart cockle shell garlands are always in demand and are approximately 25cms across and 18 cms in height. They are made of hundreds of beautiful small heart cockle shells so what better shape to work towards than that of a heart? These are popular as a decorative line in pairs and sought after as wedding shell themed party decorations too. They come complete with a small hanging attachment at the top. Please email info@dorsetgifts.com if requiring more than six for a bulk purchase price.

£20 each
£35 for 2

Barnacles

...blistering but beautiful.

If you've ever walked by the sea near piers, boats or rocks you're sure to have been near barnacles. They're small shell fish which glue themselves to rocks, ships and even whales and wait for their meal to swim past. They live in shallow and tidal waters and are related to crabs and lobsters. They're not a boat's best friend as barnacles can damage the structure of a boat as well as reduce a ship's speed by 50% once they have formed a crust upon its hull. But apart from all this, we think these purple barnacles are beautiful and they measure a minimum of 4 inches in height, depth and width. Extremely delicate in this form, they could break a little in transit but should come to you in one piece at the minimum size stated and if a barnacle or two is dislodged it should not affect the overall visual appeal. A great nautical decoration and centrepiece around other shells.

All barnacles are different but we will try to send you an item that reflects as closely as possible, the type shown in the images.

Minimum 4 inches high, wide and deep.

£8.99 each
£16 for 2
£23 for 3

Pectin Scallops with Barnacles

These are quite unique and the colours of the pectins vary - see the image further up the page of the pectins on their own. They have tiny barnacles stuck on them to create a very interesting sealife combination.

7 to 9cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

Wood and Rivershell Dish - DG7401S - min 12 cms

These are a great idea as the river shells have been encased to make them sit flat on a surface. We do sell a lot of abalones for use as bathroom soap dishes and they fit this purpose, but the rivershell dish can make life easier for the cleaner and designer with its flat bottom in this form! The rivershell within has been pearlised. Lots of uses for the interior designer! A contemporary bathroom gift with its place in the living room or kitchen too.

Min 12 cms across

£9.99 each
£17 for 2

Mitre Regina Seashells - DGSH106

These small mitre regina seashells have absolutely stunning colours and are often used as craft shell decoration as well as stand alone display. Please note that they are very small but strong shells - our picture of them in the murky but sunny waters of Poole Harbour do make them look larger than life, but they're small shells in a big harbour measuring between 5 and 5.5 cms. These probably have the most beautiful colourings you will find of any sea shell in our opinion (which doesn't count for much!)

5 to 5.5cms

£2.95 each
£20 for 10

OUT OF STOCK

Yellow Drupa Muron Shells

Yellow Drupa Muron shells, or Macinillia Aloina live near shore rocks feeding on small invertebrates and can be found as far away as the northern shores of Australia. Not so much yellow but more shades of caramel and brown and their shells have a thick body with distinctive nodules. Their smaller size (they measure from three quarters of an inch to an inch and a half) has made them popular shells for craft work and as marine decor around the home.

Minimum 3 cms

99p each
£7 for 10

OUT OF STOCK

Polished Turtle Limpet Shells - DGSH87

When our turtle limpet shells are polished it really brings out the beauty of their colours. These are "paired" and in case you are wondering, in shell terms and common English the term "paired" means one of two and in this case and with regards to our other shells where you may have pondered over this description, "paired" will usually mean that the two parts to the shell have been closed down to create the same effect on both side rather than the open part of the shell on one side. Our turtle limpet shells often have something in them, and by this we mean they rattle. We've never opened one up to find out why they rattle but will do one day and promise to add a further note to our description. What we do know is that children love rattling them and wondering what's inside!

5 to 6 cms

£2.50 each
£20 for 10

OUT OF STOCK

Natural Heart Cockle Shell Garland

These are magnificent looking shell garlands. When our supplier showed us these when they arrived in stock we bought the lot. They measure a full foot in height and width and the cockle shell garland is almost 4 inches deep. These are beautiful handmade shell decorations ideal for weddings and table decorations. They have a hook to be used for hanging but are strong enough to free stand with support as a table decoration. We've sold to interior designers that have had some great sea themed ideas for these so it's a decoration that should appeal to your imagination. Colours of the shells may of course vary slightly and we're hoping to get some even larger ones in stock soon so feel free to email us regarding other sizes. Heart cockle shells are also sold loose by the kilo on our craft shells page.

£25 each
£40 for 2

OUT OF STOCK

Seashell Pick 'n Mix