Shells are the true gems of the ocean and a beachcomber’s most prized find. Although, commonly used today to adorn necklaces, earrings and bracelets, or to decorate the home, shells and their ...

Have you ever wondered about the true nature of cowrie shells? Where do they come from? Are they simply shells, or is there more to their story? You may have a vague understanding that cowries were ...

Money cowrie’s were “highly valued by many African cultures” and even used as currency, according to the Carlos Museum at Emory University. City of Boston Archaeology Program photo Finding a Pacific ...

This story was first published in The Conversation. The shells form a bright and shiny mass that makes a satisfying, almost metallic sound when you run your fingers through them. The entire sample ...