Why Shells Collecting ?

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                         Mollusks are soft bodies animal that are gifted with nature to build protective calcium carbonate shell out side there body.A mollusks or mollusc is any member of the large phylum Mollusca of invertebrate animals. they can be rage in size from very tiny to largest up to 3 ft.  since ancient times it's always delight all of us from Their bright colors, curious shapes, and amazing patterns. And also this make them among the most fascinating of nature's creations. The universal appeal (Sea, Fresh water & Land) of shells is due to their tactile qualities as much as their inner & outer beauty. While some shells are fragile and easily broken, many are solid and pleasant to hold.   Around 85,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is estimated between 60,000 and 100,000 species.It's a largest marine phylum, comprising about 23% of all the named marine organisms. Numerous molluscs also live in freshwater and Land. The phylum is typically divided into 9 or 10 taxonomic classes, of which two are entirely extinct. Cephalopod molluscs, such as squid, cuttlefish and octopus, are among the most neurologically advanced of all invertebrates—and either the giant squid or the colossal squid is the largest known invertebrate species. The gastropods (snails and slugs) are by far the most numerous molluscs in terms of classified species, and account for 80% of the total.  

 1) Self Pickup :- U collecting/pickup them up from natural habitats i.e. sea, land & Fresh water, it's most enjoyable & adventure activity & may also be cheapest.
2) Exchange :- by exchange with other hobbyist/collectors, before this U must have to make personal collection for exchange.
3) Purchase :- purchasing different verities from dealers. But some time it's become costliest way.

            Collecting Seashell on seashore is most enjoyable & instructive alternative for the conservation-conscious collector it is the ideal way because it does not interfere with the natural habitat. we find lying on the beach, especially those wrenched from offshore habitats by storms, are often well preserved and very suitable for a collection. With a minimum of effort it is possible to make a large and varied exhibition of such "beached" shells. Other ways to collect shells, such as picking them off rocks or diving to collect them from the depths of the ocean, ultimately involve removing the animals within, but it may consider objectionable. However, these alternative methods bring you into closer contact with the living occupants of shells with the real habitats. 

         But it always advisable to never collect live shells from their real habitats because after some more effort dead Shells can Easily found in same verities without effecting nature. And always go with Species verity not with quantity of  spices. Before you collect any live specimens, always make sure you are not disobeying local conservation regulations. At some places you may need a   special permit to collect or purchase some species. 

Tools Shown in image can be used for collection & safe storage 

   1 - Hand gloves - safety purpose
  2 - Bleaching powder, shop solution, Acid used in toilet cleaning for cleaning 

           purpose
  3 - Toothbrush - to remove Sand/mud
  4 - Tweezers - to extract shell from rock crevices
  5 - Paint brush - to normal dust cleaning of shell
  6- Mineral Oil, Baby Oil or Varnish for polishing purpose
  7 - Note & pen - to make related notifications
  8 - Magnifying glass - for visual inspection
  9 - Scale - shell dimensions measurement purpose.
10 - Different size plastic/Glass container box/Bucket & Zipper Bag for

            specimen  Storage/collection purpose.
11- Sticker/Labels - to marking on shell or container 

Here are a few simple and safe lines (instructions) for cleaning seashells collected :

1. Rinse the shells thoroughly with clean water to remove sand and salt.
2. Soak the shells in a mixture of water and mild dish soap for a few hours.
3. Use a soft brush or old toothbrush to gently scrub off any dirt or debris.
4. If shells have any odor, soak them in a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar for a short time — then rinse well.
5. Let the shells dry completely in the sun before storing or displaying.
6. For extra shine, apply a light coat of mineral oil or baby oil and wipe gently.Where as for permanent signing Varnish Spray can also be useful. 

        Many methods for cleaning a shell are easily available on Google. One of them can be found at the following link: 

https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-and-Polish-Seashell” 

 More than 700 species and varieties are illustrated in our personal collection field guide, which can be downloaded using the link below. This guide will help you with shell identification. Alternatively, you can also refer to various books and websites listed below.

For beginners, it’s advisable to start by identifying shells only up to the Family or Genus level. Once you become more familiar with shell characteristics, you can move on to Species-level identification.

After identification, keep a record register of your findings. Mark or number each shell or its container with a unique ID to make record keeping easy and organized.