Searching the beach for beautiful sea shells has been an enjoyable and fascinating leisure activity for millions of persons throughout history. Finding and keeping sea shells, with their many different intricate patterns, shapes and colors, is the first experience in keeping a collection for many us, and placing shells found at the beach up to our ears to “hear the ocean” is among our fondest childhood memories. With shorelines throughout the United States and all over the world covered with these gems of nature, it understandable why this collecting shells is such a popular hobby.