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Quantity: 10 daybreak cowrie shells
Size: 3/4 inch (19 mm) to 1.25 inch (31.75 mm)
The Daybreak cowrie, also known as Palmadusta diluculum cowry, is a sea snail that feeds on polyps on coral reefs. It is most commonly found under the coral rocks in the Indo-Pacific region and also around the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The exterior of the shell is smooth and polished because of the covering that the animal has, called a mantle, that wraps around the entire shell.
The shape of these shells is somewhat pyriformly ovate, the basic coloration is brown or violet-chesnut, with two or more zones of several white dorsal zigzag-bands and distinctive dark spots on the white base. The extremities of the day-break cowry are edged with dark chesnut areas.
Some cultures see cowry shells as a symbol of fertility and are often offered to a bride as a gift to ensure fertility. They are colorful shells that work well for making jewelry such as pendants and earrings in native crafts.
They also look great in a clear vase, in an aquarium, or on the coffee table as a conversation piece. Daybreak cowries are also used in carvings like cameos due to the uniform color under the patterned shell.