Collecting Seashells
So let's start off with where and how you locate seashells. Verify the rules regarding shell collecting in the areas that you are interested in. Some places don't allow collecting or allow it only during certain times of year. Some require authorization. The local park service is a good place to start looking for information. Beachcombing is the most common method of collecting seashells. The best time to find them is low tide. Look for bubbling holes in the wet sand. This indicates animal burrows, which means there should be abandoned shells nearby. Collect only "dead" shells - those without live creatures using them as homes. Walking along the beach after a storm is a great time to collect seashells. Many have been washed up on shore from the storm.
Mud flats are another great place for collecting seashells. Again this is done at low tide. You may have to dig a bit to find them. This is where a small garden rake comes in handy. Look for tracks in the mud left by crawling or digging mollusks.
If you are into diving and snorkeling, the open waters is a great place for seashell collecting. All you need is a snorkel, mask and flippers.
Dredging is another method used by seashell collectors. When dredging, you use a special net which is pulled by a boat that drags on the sea bottom. This is one of the quicker ways to collect a large amount of seashells.
One important tip when collecting seashells is to find a quiet beach with little people. There are fewer people there so you are more likely to find shells. Try to spot where the highest waves stop when they come upon the beach. This area usually comes up with shells brought about by the waves. Another good spot would be where the smaller waves break before rolling onto the beach. A lot of the best specimens can be found here.
Once you collect your seashells, wash them carefully with soap and water in a bowl and then set them on a towel to dry. You can use silicone grease if they appear dull. This will bring the natural color out. Just apply with your finger and buff with a soft cloth or towel. If for some reason your seashells start to smell after you wash them, this means that there were animal remains in the shell. In this case, soak the shell in water twice a day. After a few days you can shake the shell and the animal rot will come out.
Mud flats are another great place for collecting seashells. Again this is done at low tide. You may have to dig a bit to find them. This is where a small garden rake comes in handy. Look for tracks in the mud left by crawling or digging mollusks.
If you are into diving and snorkeling, the open waters is a great place for seashell collecting. All you need is a snorkel, mask and flippers.
Dredging is another method used by seashell collectors. When dredging, you use a special net which is pulled by a boat that drags on the sea bottom. This is one of the quicker ways to collect a large amount of seashells.
One important tip when collecting seashells is to find a quiet beach with little people. There are fewer people there so you are more likely to find shells. Try to spot where the highest waves stop when they come upon the beach. This area usually comes up with shells brought about by the waves. Another good spot would be where the smaller waves break before rolling onto the beach. A lot of the best specimens can be found here.
Once you collect your seashells, wash them carefully with soap and water in a bowl and then set them on a towel to dry. You can use silicone grease if they appear dull. This will bring the natural color out. Just apply with your finger and buff with a soft cloth or towel. If for some reason your seashells start to smell after you wash them, this means that there were animal remains in the shell. In this case, soak the shell in water twice a day. After a few days you can shake the shell and the animal rot will come out.