China - Black Natural Cowrie

T. P. Collection. Depending on the condition, based upon storage and soil characteristics, natural cowries can be found with unusual colors. Green cowries probably mean the shell took on the green copper characteristics of a buried bronze vessel. Here is a black natural specimen that may mean it took on the characteristics of the surrounding soil. Hartill # 1.1, without the back filed off; 10.6 x 14.8 mm & .7 g.