Nautilus Pearl Large 10-12.5cm

Shell size: 12.5-15cm.

Selected polished shells from approved sources for crafts and interior decoration.

Having survived relatively unchanged for millions of years, nautilus are often considered to be "living fossils”, indeed ammonites are extinct relatives.

When seen from the top, the natural shell is darker in colour and marked with irregular stripes, which makes it blend into the darkness of the water below. Conversely, the underside is almost completely white, making it indistinguishable from brighter waters near the ocean’s surface. Whilst the shells frequent waters around 300m below the surface, the shell is capable of withstanding pressures down to 800m.

The pearlised shells are made by removing the outer matt coating to reveal the iridescent structure below.

The shell is internally divided into chambers. As the nautilus matures its body moves forward, sealing the chamber behind it. The last fully open chamber being used as the living chamber. The number of chambers increases from around four at the moment of hatching to often more than thirty in adults.