Cowrie shells have a long, layered history that stretches far beyond their recent resurgence in home decor. Long before they appeared on coffee tables, wall hangings, or sculptural objects, cowries ...

“Before you do anything else,” curator Chris Meyer said the minute I arrived at the National Museum of Natural History’s Invertebrate Zoology collection, “you have to vote for beauty.” He led me ...

Shells are the true gems of the ocean and a beachcomber’s most prized find. Although, commonly used today to adorn necklaces, earrings and bracelets, or to decorate the home, shells and their ...