Pristine beaches of the world are full of unique and beautiful seashells scattered around shorelines. There are unique and rare seashells with over a thousand species of seashells, with some being so hard to find.

These little treasures of the beach are collected for jewelry, arrangements for homes and even currency called shell money. Here are 10 rarest seashells you could lookout for while strolling beaches around the world.

Rarest Seashell You Need To See

Cowrie Shells

The most iconic seashells used for jewellery are cowrie seashells, also commonly used as currency for some parts of the world. It can be found in the Maldives Islands to Sri Lanka, Borneo and other East Indian islands to the African coast from Ras Hafun to Mozambique, which is most abundant in the Indian Ocean.

Perfect for its smooth and shiny surface with elegant colors, these shells have a porcelain-like shine to them. Its range in size can be as small as 5 millimeters up to 19 centimeters. Furthermore, there are too many Cowrie shell inspired jewelry today. You may check our Atolea Jewelry and see lots of cowrie shell inspired jewelry. 

Nautilus Shell

Considered the golden ratio of seashells is the nautilus shell; you have probably seen a cross-section of this fossil in your textbooks. These shells are from mollusks that have been swimming in the oceans for hundreds of millions of years. 

Only found inhabiting the deep coral reefs in the waters of the Indo-Pacific. These rare shells are unique for their shape that scientists call the golden ratio. The outside layer of the shell is a boring matte white, but hiding inside hides a gorgeous pearlescent white layer.

Queen Conch Shell

Early civilizations have long kept these beautiful shells as tools, most commonly as blowing horns as its shape is perfect for producing a loud low tone sound. Unfortunately, these have been harder to find as they are protected from overfishing for their meat and shell.

Queen conch shells have been made popular as ornaments in early modern Europe as explorers liked to bring them back from their voyages. These large shells as centerpieces are sure to intrigue house guests.

Murex Shells

An extremely sharp and jagged aesthetic of murex shells is not for everyone to appreciate, but this shell takes the cake for its unique shape. Found in the waters of the Indo-Pacific, which aren't particularly hard to find, but perfectly preserved shells are rare since the spines are very fragile.

Spines of these shells can reach more than a hundred; it is used as the main protection from predators and even to avoid sinking into soft mud. The species can reach a length of 10 to 15 cm.

Wentletrap Shell

Wentletrap shells are small and cute shells nicknamed staircase shells or ladder shells. The turreted shell, consisting of whorls that form a high, conical spiral, is sculpted with deeply ribbed ribs.

It is common to find them on sandy bottoms near anemones or coral, which provide them with food. Wentletraps resemble ice cream swirls, with their white and porcelain-like shine. Collectors prize the shells of the larger species because of their intricate geometric shell architecture.

Conus Gloriamaris

As its common name suggests, the Glory of the Sea Cone (Conus Gloria Maris) is a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae. The Pacific and Indian Oceans are the most common places to find them.

This shell, which is extremely rare and well-known, has subdued patterns and is covered with a thick layer of patternless growth marks over the body whorl. On the body whorl as well as later whorls of the spire, there are often bad and unhealed breaks.

Turkey Wing Shell

Found on beaches from North Carolina to the West Indies, Bermuda, and the Mediterranean, the turkey wing shell or Arca zebra is a type of mollusk. With the help of its threadlike filaments, the mollusk attaches itself to rocks and other solid objects in shallow water.

Depending on the species, the shell can grow up to 4 inches long. It has a thick shell with a pale lavender interior. Approximately 50 small teeth make up the hinge. The hinge is straight rather than curved, which makes it easier to open. The periostracum is a thick and bristly "carpet" that covers living examples.

Junonia Shell

A distinctive dot pattern appears on the Junonia's body and shell. A creamy white shell with brown dots allows the snail to blend in with the ocean floor, allowing it to blend in. Body colour is yellow, with black dots on it.

These snails have a small stature and a slender body. Until recently, the largest Junonia shell found measured only six inches in length. As a rule of thumb, they range in size from 1 to 4 inches.

Coquina Shells

Inhabitant of Florida's sandy beaches is the coquina clam. Coquinas are known for their highly variable color patterns and can be found just below the beach's surface in the wave-washed area of the sand.

15 to 25 mm long, triangular-shaped, small coquina shells Colorful bands adorn these shells, ranging from red to violet. Both sides of the shell have the same symmetry, meaning that they are identical.

Scotch Bonnet Shell

The Scotch bonnet is North Carolina's official state shell. Shell-dwelling marine snails of the helmet family inhabit the shell. Their shells have short spires, large body whorls and thickened outer lips that make them stand out. 

You’ll know that a shell is a Scotch Bonnet when you see its orange plaid-like appearance due to the square patterns on its surface. It can go from as small as 3 inches to as large 312 inches in length upon the shell growing to its full maturity.

Conclusion

As pretty as they appear, it may be tempting to pick up rarest seashells you may come across walking by the seashore. Even so, protected beaches prohibit people from keeping them. Shells are still part of a large ecosystem of flora and fauna around beaches and oceans. 

Allowing anyone to pick up and keep these rare shells could damage and deteriorate such flourishing beaches. And if you want to protect the ocean, there are many rarest seashells inspired jewelry you can find here at  Atolea Jewelry. 

We have a wide selection of Ocean-inspired jewelry that will make you love the Ocean more. So dive into our unique designs now and bring the Summer vibes with you everywhere you go!