Sea Shell Information

Seashell Pick 'n Mix

Distortio Seashells x 3 - DGSO181

LIMITED OFFER

Caramel coloured extremely pretty smaller seashells looking super in small collections and measuring just under 6 cms – can be displayed upwards, downwards or sideways and these almost look like mini frog shells – charming colours and from the Phillipines – when choosing smaller seashells in our shop on Poole Quay children mostly pick one of these!

£1.95 for 3

Pectin Scallops with Barnacles x 3 - DGSO4813

LIMITED OFFER

Always a very colourful addition to shell collections with the additional look of small barnacles attached to the pectin shell (which is paired) - a limited offer of 3 of these for £4.95 Measuring approx. 3 inches - 8 cms and one of our top 10 seashells in the shop where customers slowly pick and handle.

£4.95 for 3

White Fusinus Shells x 3 - DGSO2231

LIMITED OFFER

Fusini seashells are definitely one of our favourites - long, light, pretty and  beautiful standing as a trio or being used as a signature seashell in craftwork.  Also known as a long tailed spindle. Measuring between 5 and 6  inches (minimum 12 cms) - we source these ethically from the Philippines. For larger quantities please e mail us - we won't be beaten on price.

£3.50 for 3

Vasum Turbinellus Shells x 3 - DGSO74

LIMITED OFFER

Vasum Turbinellus shells are fairly common in Indo Pacific waters and are predatory sea snails with a thick shell and vase shaped. Our current batch are measuring just under 5 cms and sold in threes to make a pretty display.  Great to include in shell craft work – strong and striking.

£2.95 for 3

Oyster Shells x 5 - DGOYSTER5

LIMITED OFFER

We haven't taken the floor boards up in our shop but it's Grade 2 and was built when Queen Victoria was ruling half the world. Rumour has it that when the Romans occupied Poole Quay over a thousand years earlier they laid down foundations for buildings using oyster shells, of which of course Poole Harbour would have been abundant. Whether you require for the foundations of a house or attractive nautical decor we have plenty here for you and minimum length is 7 cms – sold in 5s so it's 5 for £2.95. Recycled from local food sources.

£2.95 for 5

Strawberry Trocha Shells x 4 - DGTROCHLTD

LIMITED OFFER

Four beautiful strawberry trochas - a limited offer as they will sell out at this price.  These are all approximately 3 cms in length and called strawberry because.

£2.95 for four

Orange Mitre Shells x 3 - DGMITRLTD

LIMITED OFFER

Limited Offer of 3 orange mitre seashells measuring approximately 5 cms, smaller and more delicate than most but beautiful additions to any seashell collection.

£3.50 for three

Foxhead Seashells x 3 - DGFOXLTD

LIMITED OFFER

A limited offer for three good sized foxhead seashells - these are sometimes referred to as tulip shells and at approximately 10 cms in length you are getting 3  for the price of one and we are not sure how we do it!!  Lots of similar limited offers online for the next few months!

£2.95 for three

Brown Screw Shells x 4 - DGSCRELTD

LIMITED OFFER

Not one, two or three but four screw shells approximately 8 cms each and popular for seashell craft work as well as general decor. From shallow waters in the Philippines.

£2.95 for four

Brown Tonna Cep Shells x 4 - DGBTCEPLTD

LIMITED OFFER

Beautifully coloured shallow water seashells and the price is for all four on a limited offer. Approximately 7 cms so a lot of seashell and a more than competitive price. Please phone for bulk orders.

£2.95 for four

Polished Brown Cowries x 4 - DGCOWLTD

LIMITED OFFER

Beautifully polished cowries and the price is for all 4 measuring approximately 5 cms. There are many different species of cowries but these are one of our favourites.

£2.95 for four

Knobbly Starfish x 4 - DGKNOBL

LIMITED OFFER

Limited offer on our rustic coloured knobbly starfish and these are approximately 9 cms to 10 cms. These do vary in colour and are of interest to dogs! A good opportunity to stock up on these at this limited price.

£2.95 for four

Abalone Shells x 3 - DGLIMAB

LIMITED OFFER

3 pretty abalone seashells measuring a minimum of 10 cms and in natural but cleaned form which highlights the iridescent interior.  These opalescent seashells always make an attractive display and one of our best selling seashells at a very good size. Please contact for larger quantities.

£3.50 for three

Strombus Sinuatis  - DGSO51544

LIMITED OFFER

This beautiful and unusual conch, the Strombus Sinuatis is also known as the Laconate Conch has an attractive pink lip and measures approximately 4 inches in length. This Strombus Sinuatis is a hard seashell to source and one to take pride of place in any collection.

4 inches long.

£2.50 each
£4.95 for 3

Pectin Phallium - DH4033

Minimum 4 cms, some of these are paired and some single and do really have a pretty pink to purple colouring. Great for crafting or adding striking colour to seashell collections.  

£0.99 each
£3.75 for 4

Natural Frog Mussel 8 cms - DG4372

From a well known group of edible shells which are widespread in inter tidal waters. These have been paired back into one and have interesting texture resulting in them often being purchased for art work.

£2.75 each

Pink Murex Shell 2 to 3 ins

These have always been a popular shell for table decor / weddings etc, so although we are selling larger ones on the website we have sourced a good supply of 2 to 3 inch pink murexes which we are selling on at a wholesale rate if you choose the quantity offer. All our pink murexes are between 2 and 3 inches and if taken in batches of 30 these will enable you to create excellent seaside decor at a very reasonable price. Further description of our murex shells and larger examples below. For larger quantities please email us for a quotation. We intend to never be beaten on price and love the pink lip to these pretty decorative seashells.

£1.95 each

Black Murex Shell - DGBMUR

One of our favourites and sufficiently popular to have their own wooden apple box outside our shop from where customers choose their favourites. Currently these are coming in at minimum of 8 cms. Used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for the manufacture of purple dye! It commnaded a very high price so was only used by the nobility or the church. A spindly shell and one to adorn any srious seashell collection. Please call 07711247762 for bulk quotes or for larger black murex seashells.

£3.95 each

Silver Cabibe Mussel - DG4014N

Silver cabibe mussels which are thin and elongate and  measuring over 5 cms - excellent for nautical or wedding décor. These seashells live in large colonies in the Phillipines  and are widespread in shallow inter tidal waters. Great one for wedding or mixing with silver and white seashells as nautical home sea themed décor - especially bathrooms!

£1.50 each

Pink Lip Egg Cockle - DG4324RED

A long standing food source and for such a varied, attractive  and famous family of seashells we have selected something a little more unusual. Measuring approximately 5 cms and with a pink lip - these small cockle shells from Indo Pacific waters  make attractive seashell décor when grouped together. We think our prices are more than competitive so do please let us know if you can find cheaper and we will always match - unless they are coming from China, have used one of our images and the delivery date is 2027.

£0.50 each

Tiger Cowrie 5-8 cms - KT4013

These tiger cowrie shells are 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. Tiger Cowries are 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 of tiger cowrie shells.

5-8 cms (2 to 3 ins)

£1.25 each
£10 for 10

Scallop Shells - 13 to 15 cms

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 large scallop shells 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 these scallop shells as a dining plate, with tea lights, as soap dishes or as shell craft objects ..... they're beautiful. The scallop shell is a British beach shell from our home waters so sits comfortably in our homes as seashell decorations - make use of a few. Please Dorset Gifts customers - these large scallop shells are straight from the ocean so may need a little cleaning. E -mail us for a bulk buying discount.

99p each
£8 for 10
£15 for 20
£25 for 50
£40 for 100

Pectin Scallop Shells 5 to 8 cms - QT4033

These pectin scallop shells are double sided. These beautiful light pectin 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 coloured pectin scallop seashell unless your order is accompanied with a specific colour request. Great for people who are decorating with seashells or are looking for bulk seashells for sale.

£1.50 each
£10.00 for 10
Please e-mail or phone for bulk prices

Pearlised Troca Shell 5 to 7 cm

We love our cone shaped pearlised troca shells. 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 troca shells 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.

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

White Shell Pack - DG4054

We frequently get asked for varied mixed seashells in white and for many uses ranging from corporate table decor and weddings to children's party gifts. This year we have put together a shell pack in white which will perfectly cater for all needs. Each white shell pack measures 13 cms across. We have cellophaned them so they can easily be presented as gifts and also opened up for scattering. Please refer back to these seashells individually on our website but each pack will approximately contain a 6 cms white pointer starfish,  a 13 cms English scallop seashell, a couple of 3 cms pearlised trochas, 4 to 5 heart cockle seashells measuring 3 cms, 3 x 3cms  white strombus seashells and several 2 cms white tibia seashells. All in all the perfect combination and one put together with you, our customers in mind!  Maybe we should do these in green and brown too, but for now it's the "white shell pack".

These mixed white seashells are very popular as wedding shell packs for people planning a beach themed wedding or for use as wedding favours.

The pictures show the pack opened to reveal the contents showing the mixed beach seashells and starfish. Contents always white or pearlised but do vary due to newer batches.

13 cms across

£4.95 each
£13 for 3
Please e-mail for bulk purchases

The Purbeck Shell Collection - DGPUR

Just perfect for anyone seeking an interesting colourful collection of seashells for somewhere in the home or office and there are some unusual specimens in here. Centrepiece would have to be the Large Brown Cockle which can be left paired or easily broken open and this measures on average 9 cms in length. We have added 2 pieces of whitewashed driftwood at about 8 cms each to give a nautical alternative look to the collection. There's a Tiger Cowrie in here too at about 8 cms and some pretty Conches from 7 cms to 10 cms with two light brown Mussel Shells to complete. We often look at little collections and discuss what we would add. It's all in here at a great price. Including the driftwood there are 9 pieces which would need a space of 20 cms by 10 cms to present stylishly.

£7.95 each
£15 for 2

Dorset Gifts Special Shell Selection - DGSS

Just occasionally we get customers asking what makes a good selection of shells or may even ask us to select for them. We've put a collection together for your display, your bathroom, your office or your school project and we've included in the selection of ten shells, a beautiful small cowrie map shell with lots of mini cowries, which we're sure you'll agree sets all these beautiful caramel, brown and ivory seashells off a treat. These seashells are not rare but they are not an easy find either with a stunning firebrand murex, rapana shell, babylon shell, Judd's scallop shell, a knobbly starfish and conches too. Even a beautiful cone shell and most in the 2 to 3 inch size bracket!

All these for under a tenner? We don't think it can be beaten on the internet and some of these shells are for sale on other websites for £5 each - so go on, you know it makes sense! Having these tastefully arranged in a group is a great way to display seahsells. It's a special Dorset Gifts Special and very much while stocks last!

£9.95 for a 10 shell pack
£18 for 2

Longspine Murex Indivia

Ever popular longspine 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 decorative seashell display. We think these longspine murex individias display best with pearlised trochas and white pointer starfish as the black and white body of these shells works with neutral colours for seashell decor. So if you are thinking of decorating with seashells this shell should be on your list.

9 to 10 cms

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Turbo Silvermouth DG4143S - 5 to 8 cms  

These Turbo Silvermouth shells are the pearlised versions of our other turbo shells so silvery in colour and with that swirl our turbo shells all seem to have. We also have these Turbo silvermouth shells in larger sizes, but the 5 to 8 cms are the most popular for ocean themed decor and work nicely in displays with our pearlised trochas. If ordering in quantity please email us for a price quotation. Please note that with all our seashells, colourings and shapes will vary as they are, of course, a natural product. These turbo silvermouth shells however are fairly regular in style and appearance. A popular one for wedding decor again this year.

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Green Turbo Silvermouth - 5 cms  

These green turbo silvermouth shells are Introduced in memory of my great Auntie Mavis who had a four piece bathroom suite this colour installed in her ground floor flat in Shepherd's Bush in the mid 1970s. Oh, green turbo silvermpouth shells are also requested by several nautical wedding planners as this particular sea green is sought after and we must say, these mixed with Pearlized Turbo Silvermouth create beautiful seaside decor/seashell display.

£2.95 each
£25 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 Lambis Scrorpius shells are certainly one of our favourites and we like to display these alongside our knobbly starfish. The Lambis Scrorpius shells that we sell are a rich orangey brown with darker colouring around the lip of the shell.

10 to 14 cms

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Polished Red Abalone 2 to 4 inches - DG 4072

Polished Red Abalone Shells - We have a limited supply of these absolute beauties and they come to our customers at a fantastic price. They are lightly polished, mainly red with a hint of pink and light polishing. The overall effect is stunning and these replace our kamatscha red abalones. The polished red abalones are defintely a winner and the photos do not do them justice!  Just £1.50 each or 10 for £14.

£1.50 each
£14 for 10

Mitre Shells 4 to 5 inches - QT 4026

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

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Turbo Pethoratus - DG4068

These turbo pethoratus shells have a very slight green hue but come mainly in brown and measure at 1 to 2 inches. These small Turbo Pethoratus shells look great arranged in a decorative grouping.

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Banded Turbo Pethoratus - DG4068b

Banded Turbo Pethoratus make for a very pretty banded small shell with quite lovely colours at 2 to 3 inches

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Banded Frog Mussel - DG4373

We've just voted this Banded Frog Mussel our best new seashell this year! It's a great looking seashell polished but also leaving the natural black and white colours in stripes. Recommended!!

8 to 10 cms

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Firebrand Murex DG749 - 3 to 4 inches (8 to 9 cms)

These Firebrand Murexes are nicely sized. It's always worth checking the size of our seashells (and the quality) when comparing us with our pretenders. We aim to sell at an equivalent price but a larger size - please let us know if we are failing. Our firebrand murex are pointed at both ends so stand very nicely and have subtle lined shades of brown as their camoflauged colour of choice. Interesting fact - they have the capacity to drill through other seashells in pursuit of dinner. Thei favourite place for a Firebrand Murex shell to hang out is near coral reefs in South East Asian seas.

£1.50 each
£13 for 10

Knobbly Starfish - 3 to 4 inches wide

Of all the starfish we sell these Knobbly Starfish are the ones that our customers pick up, look at, feel the texture of and talk to one another about. Personally, we prefer the tiger starfish and the pointer starfish 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.

The knobbly bits are natural and do sometimes break and only occasionally will a knobbly starfish have all knobbles intact... the pictures are a fair representation of the state of knobbliness you as our customer should expect in return for your money!

£2.95 each
£25 for 10
Please e-mail or phone for bulk purchases

Unpolished Natural Abalone - DGS1211

These unpolished natural abalone shells are the colour of the sea on the outer shell and pearlised in the middle - a customer made the most beautiful shell mirror displaying the inner shell around the border and we've seen these used in shell wreaths before. The unpolished natural abalone is another contender where the options for use are endless!  

Minimum 2 inches

£0.80 each
£2.95 for 5
£25 for 50

Codakia Tigerina - DGS109

These Codakia Tigerina seashells measure approximately 3 inches across  and with their coral coloured back are characterised by the pink edge they have around the inner lip - we like them!! These Codakia Tigerina shells are plentiful in the Indian Ocean and we source ours from Thailand and the Philippines - a colourful addition to all shell collections.

3 inches minimum

£0.80 each
£2.95 for 5
£25 for 50

Oliva Annulata - DGS0425

   
This beautiful Philippine species of sea snail does in fact come from the family olividae (olives) - they do of course vary in colour and pattern but our images are a very fair reflection. We recently saw a wonderful necklace made of these oliva annulata shells - please note that none of our shells are drilled and we do not drill for customers but we do have mobiles which have been predrilled so please enquire if your wish is for pre drilled seashells.

Approx 4 cms (1.5 inches)

£0.99 each
£8 for 10

Antique Terebra Aerolate - DGS06021

These Antique Terebra Aerolate shells come in at approximately 4 inches (10 cms) some a little smaller and some larger. These are unlikely to be sourced in your average seashell shop and are similar to screw shells but with an almost cream colour and yellow-orange spots running down to a point at the end - rather beautiful.

£3.50 each
£7 for 2

Cut Mexican Trocha 8 to 10 cms - DG4065COL

These Cut Mexican Trocha shells are also known as Astrea Undosa and are from Mexican waters. Nothing to do with Andrea Undosa, who I dated in my youth but both from Mexico. Beautifully cut and these really fit in to a size between small and large seashells as good specimens can be up to 10 cms. Unusual but popular with our customers and delicately coloured.

Available in pink and green.

£6.99 each
£12 for 2

Banded Turbo Pica 5 to 8 cms - DG4149BA

The Banded Turbo Pica shells look good alongside the turbo samarticus but we recommend these as stand alone due to their unique beauty. Just one of thesebanded turbo pica shells is a present that will not be forgotten and cherished forever. Not your average cockle!!!

£3.99 each
£7 for 2

Conus Figulinus

We think these conus figulinus sea shells 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 the beautiful natural design of the Conus Figulinus shells, the family of snails that would reside within one of these cones is predatory, venemous and probably not on Facebook. 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

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

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 sea shells do also produce pearls. The fishermen will use these large melon seashells for bailing water from their boats too. The Melon Shells 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 Melon Shells are also available at 15 to 18 cms size

£5.99 each
£10 for 2

Murex Haustellum

These unique lovely coloured delicate Murex Haustellum sea shells are from the family of murcidae and the long spike growing away from the base almost looks like a tail. Murex Haustellum make a 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

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Murex Negrispinosis

The Murex Negrispinosis seashell is 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 and for use as white shell decorations for weddings.

Minimum 8 cms

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Cloth of Gold Cone Shell

Cloth of Gold Cone shells 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! These cloth of gold shells, despite their deadly reputation when alive, are popular as wedding seashell decorations.

Minimim 7 cms

£2.95 each
£25 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 shell, 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 of our map cowries for an unique nautical display or a beach themed wedding!

Minimim 6.5 cms

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

3 x Blue Pointer Starfish min. 8 cms -  DG4019B

Three blue pointer starfish with a minimum length of 8 cms. These are great for craftwork or seashell collections.

£2.95 for 3 items

3 x Pink Pointer Starfish min. 8 cms -  DG4019R

Pretty pink/red pointer starfish and measuring a minimum of 8 cms - great to mix with our blue, green and white pointer starfish.

£2.95 for 3 items

3 x Green Pointer Starfish min. 8 cms -  DG4019G

Three green pointer starfish with a minimum length of 8 cms. These are great for craftwork or seashell collections or mixed with other colored starfish.

£2.95 for 3 items

Pointer Starfish

A very special price on pointer starfish at minimum 8 cms. For sale while stocks last.

Available in Blue (DGBLUE) or Pink (DGPINK).

£1.95 for four starfish

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.

These pointer or finger starfish are popular as beach themed wedding decorations.

Available in Blue, White or Red

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

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 as they are also known are great for weddings, collecting, craft shows or beach decor themed rooms, hanging in nets or even your office desk ... these Tiger Starfish fit in anywhere! Please e-mail or phone for bulk purchases

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Egg Cowrie Shells

Our egg cowrie shells are from the same family as the tiger cowries but clearly very white with some colouring inside the lip. The neutral colour makes these egg cowrie shells 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 cowrie seashells are great as wedding white shell favours and we recommend them mixed and displayed with pearlized trocas. Popular as wedding seashell decorations.

7 to 9 cms

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Bonnet Shell - DG8728

These unusual Bonnet Shells are smaller seashells and are light to hold and have a beautiful uniform pattern on the exterior.  

5 cms in diameter.

£1.99 each
£3 for 2

Orange Spider Conch - DGSH71

As the name implies these orange spider conchs are 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

£2.95 each
£25 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

£2.95 each
£25 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, these tonna allium shells are stunning with soft brown and cream lines which make for an excellent shell decoration in beach decor themed rooms.

8 to 10 centimetres

£2.95 each
£25 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 murex 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.

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Saddle Shell Wind Chime

Exclusive to Dorset Gifts

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. These have five large purple 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.

£2.99 each
£7.50 for 3

Sputnik Sea Urchin 5 to 8 cms

We call these our "designer" shells, because a lot of interior designers like to buy these sputnik sea urchins in bulk. They're bobbly and bubbly and there's nothing else out there quite like them, but please note that these sputnik sea urchins have 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 sputnik 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 or as wedding sea shell decorations. Please e-mail or call to buy seashells at bulk prices.

Popular as beach themed wedding decorations.

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Also available in the smaller size of 4 to 6 cms

£1.45 each

Alfonso Sea Urchin DG927 - 3 to 4 inches

Ladies and Gentlemen, from the deep seas of the North Australian Coast and eastwards towards Asia, we bring you Alfonso sea urchins. They vary a little in colour from the pale sea green in the images to a lightish more Thames Estuary brown! We individually wrap these very delicate urchins which on average only weigh 20 grammes but closer to 150 grammes when carefully wrapped. If you want your Alfonso sea urchins green just put a note in the Special Requests box at checkout. They say no two of these are exactly the same.

£2.99 each
£5 for 2

Sand Dollars

Sand dollars, washed up on the shore and bleached by the sun - perhaps they do look like American dollars but they are in fact a form of squashed sea urchin that wanders along the ocean floor face down eating all in its path - and is a relation of the sea cucumber and starfish. Sorry to have dispelled any myths regarding these sand dollars being silver coins lost by mermaids. Oh, and the interesting pattern on them, that's their feet! If you want to buy decorative sand dollars then these are great for nautically themed events.

Approximately 4cms in diameter

£0.50 each
£4.50 for 10
£8.00 for 20

Tigerina Mussels - polished 7 to 8cms

These Tigerina Mussels are another striking shell with good weight behind them and polished tigerina mussel 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. They make pretty wedding shell decorations.

£2.95 each
£25 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! These carved pearlised trochas are great as wedding shell decorations.

5 to 6 cms

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Marble Cone - Conus Marmoreus 8-10 cms - QT4010

Sometimes referred to as just "cones" these polished intricately patterned marble cone shells are probably the most popular and collectible in the shop. Marble Cone shells or Conus Marmoreus if you want to be posh, look especially good in small clusters anywhere around the home. Please e-mail or call to buy shells at bulk prices

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Lambis Chiragra - Spider Conch 5 to 6 ins

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

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

Turbo Sarmaticus 7-8cms - QT4080

Probably our prettiest and most delicate shell. These turbo sarmaticus 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, these turbo sarmaticus shells make a striking display. Please e-mail for bulk buying discount.

£5.95 each
£25 for 5

Mini Cowries - minimum 3 cms

We have good stock levels of these unusual mini cowries although still a minimum of 3 centimetres in length and they have a slight polish to them. The question is, do they look best with lip facing down or lip visible and facing up? We think scattered in both positions so we can see just how delicate and beautiful these lovely little mini cowries are. These shells can added to our pick and mix selection.

£2.95 for 5

Brown Heart Cockle - DG4056 - 8 to 10 cms

These brown heart cockle shells 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 cockle shell an easy one to mix with lighter seashells displayed on this page.

£4 each

Medium Brown Cockles - DG8822

Back by popular demand are our medium brown cockle shells sourced from all over the world including the British Isles - measuring 2 to 3 cms and unpaired.

£2 for 20
£4 for 50

Sea Urchin Wands - DG8599

Sourced from the Phillipines - has anyone seen these sea urchin wands in action? Our UK equivalent are razor clams and you can see them by taking a packet of salt down to any seaside estuary on the coast when the tide is out. You know those little dots on the sand? Drop a little salt down them and if you're very patient and a little lucky, a razor clam may pop it's head up - then you have to be quick! Our sea urchin wands are 5 to 7 cms and come in beautiful colours!

£2.95 for 10
£5 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 sea 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. 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. We have a picture here of the shells inside and outside the bag provided. There are about 20 shells in each bag measuring on average 7cms and most of them are polished having been sourced in the Philippine Islands.

£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.

£3.99 each
£7 for 2
£10 for 3

Pink Sea Urchins

I did have a very well dressed lady pick one of these up in the shop and ask me if it was a street urchin. Well... almost, and why are they called urchins, which is another name for hedgehog? It's quite confusing so we've grouped all our street urchins (or shall we call them Dorset guttersnipes?) together to make it easier for the well dressed lady and you, our internet late night shoppers. These pink sea urchins are very pretty in a light shade of pink with a minimum size of 4 cms diameter. Pink sea urchins do look fetching in small groups and mixed with our sputnik sea uchins. Bubblewrap will outweigh the urchin! Popular as beach themed wedding decorations.

£0.75 each
£7 for 10
£13 for 20

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 seashell 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

Heart Cockle Balls - DGHB

Fine heart cockle balls for sale and 4 inches in diameter - a bit bigger than a tennis ball or the size of an impressive orange and great sea themed decor, ever popular as wedding table decorations - they roll quite nicely!

£5.99 each
£10 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. Barnacles 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 Pectin scallops with barnacles 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

£2.95 each
£25 for 10

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 mitre regina shells 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
£25 for 10

Spondylus Chinensis - DG098

These beautiful spondylus sea shells for sale 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 spondylus chinensis 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
£25 for 10

Saddle Shell

These beautiful saddle shells from the Philippines take their name from their shape although we've never seen a purple saddle, not at Hickstead anyway but perhaps they have them in the Philippines where these originate from. The saddle shells are nicely sized at 3 to 4 inches and a great seller for craft work or interesting cover in a shell display - not commonly found but definitely one for the collection. 

£0.99 each
£2.95 for 4
£25 for 40

Sets of 4 are available in Pick 'n Mix

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 sea shell soap dishes and they fit this purpose, but the rivershell dish can make life easier for the cleaner and designer with its flat bottom! The rivershell within has been pearlised. Lots of uses for this polisheed shell bowl 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

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. The Judd's Scallop Shell is 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

Zodiac Cowrie Shell - DG4009Q

These tiger cowrie seashells with carved zodiac signs are approximately 8 cms in length and we have them in all signs of the zodiac. They make pretty and attractive gifts.

£2.95 each OUT OF STOCK

Seashell and Gemstone Pick 'n Mix