Vintage Micro Shell Specimen Bottles

Authentic vintage stock from a coastal gift shop that closed its doors in the 1980s. Stored carefully in dry conditions for over forty years, these miniature glass display vials contain genuine vintage shells rather than modern plastic imitations or recent bulk imports. Perfect as natural history curiosities, desk displays, or delicate craft materials.

Available Varieties

• Needle Whelks (Bittium reticulatum) – 12g

  • Features: Delicate, slender spiral shells with fine textured whorls. Average 10m long

• Groatie Buckies / False Cowries (Trivia arctica - Trivia monacha) – 15g

  • Features: Classic ridged "Luckie Cowries" with their distinctive ribbed backs. Average 8-9mm long

• Micro Nerita & Cerith Mix – 15g

  • Features: A contrasting blend of tiny, patterned Nerita with pointed Cerith spirals. Approx 4mm - 5mm

Specimen & Presentation Details

• Bottle Size: Approx. 5.5cm high (including natural cork stopper) × 4.5cm wide.

• Labelled Vial: Each bottle has a small vintage-style label showing it scientific names.

• Display Certificate: Includes a small mini certificate detailing the specimen information and 1980s vintage shop provenance.

• Display or Crafting: Keep them sealed in their corked vials for a curiosity shop look, or uncork them to use the tiny shells in resin, jewellery, or artwork.