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Mitrella (Graphicomassa) margarita
(Reeve, LA, 1859)
Approx. 5 - 12 mm
MURICOIDEA / COLUMBELLIDAE PYRENINAE : Mitrella (Graphicomassa) margarita
       (syn: Columbella varians)

Common Name: Rice shells

Hawaiian Name: Laiki shells

Laiki Colors:

  • ke'oke'o white
  • kua'ula off white
  • lenalena yellow

"The Laiki shells ("rice shells") tend to be white or yellow in hue and are have the same appearance as a grain of rice. These shells are pierced differently, from end to end, and can be found in the long single strands (Kui Pololei) favored by Hawai'i's queens. Today, you see then in the elaborate wedding leis still used by Ni'ihau brides..."
(http://www.treasuresofniihau.com/learnFrameset.html)

 
Mitrella margarita
(Reeve, 1859)

2-97D
11mm.

2-97E
11mm.

2-97F
11mm.

2-97G
11mm.

2-97H
11mm.

2-253
8 mm.

2-247
9 mm.

2-248
9 mm.

2-249
11 mm.
Names in RED have now been identified positively as Mitrella margarita and copied from the Unidentified table below. from the table below.

2-97B
9 mm.
Mitrella margarita
(Reeve, 1859)

2-98.
10 mm.
Mitrella margarita
(Reeve, 1859)

2-113.
9 mm.
Mitrella margarita
(Pease, W.H., 1868)
From the collection of Avril Bourquin
Collected from beaches of Maui and the North Shore of Kauai between 1979 and 1991

 

Identifications Unsure
Also
Unsure if they are found in Ni'ihau jewelery
Names In RED have been positively identified

2-97A
10 mm.
Mitrella albina

2-97B
9 mm.
Mitrella margarita
(Reeve, 1859)

2-98.
10 mm.
Mitrella margarita
(Reeve, 1859)

2-113.
9 mm.
Mitrella margarita
(Pease, W.H., 1868)

2-144.
5 mm .
?? Mitrella fusiformis
(Pease, W.H., 1868)


2-225.
5.5 mm.
?? Mitrella fusiformis
(Pease, W.H., 1868)

     


2-91.
10 mm.
Anachis miser

2-114
8 mm.

2-250
10 mm.
beach worn specimen

2-245
10 mm.
beach worn specimen
Anachis miser
(Sowerby, 1844)
Miser Dove Shell

2-246
10 mm.
beach worn specimen
Anachis miser
(Sowerby, 1844)
Miser Dove Shell

2-161.
11 mm .
?? Euplica livescens
(Reeve, 1859)
Blue Dove Shell

2-94.
11 mm.
?? Mitrella rorida
??Pseudamycla rorida
(Reeve, L.A., 1859)

2-95.
9 - 13 mm.
?? Anachis miser
(Sowerby, 1844)
Miser Dove Shell

2-98.
10 mm.
?? Anachis miser
(Sowerby, 1844)
Miser Dove Shell

2-251.
11 mm.
Anachis miser
(Sowerby, 1844)
Miser Dove Shell

2-252.
11 mm.
Anachis miser
(Sowerby, 1844)
Miser Dove Shell
Note: drill hole!
 

 

 

Hawaiian Columbellidae:

 

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