{"title":"Spondylidae","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore our curated collection of \u003cstrong\u003eSpondylidae\u003c\/strong\u003e shells — commonly known as thorny oysters or spiny oysters. Prized by collectors worldwide for their dramatic spines, vivid coloration, and sculptural beauty, these rare bivalves are among the most visually striking specimens in the marine world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRare deep-water and reef-dwelling specimens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStriking spines and vibrant natural coloration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdeal for serious collectors and coastal decor enthusiasts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarefully sourced and graded for quality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"spondylus-americanus-pulley-ridge-juvenile-24-8-mm","title":"Spondylus americanus – Pulley Ridge – Juvenile – 24.8 mm","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a standout juvenile specimen of Spondylus americanus from Pulley Ridge in the Dry Tortugas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePersonally collected by me, Randy Rivera, aboard the F\/V Ava Pilar while working deep-water lobster traps in 200–240 ft. Pieces like this come straight from the fishery—no middlemen, no sourcing—just authentic, firsthand collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis juvenile example displays excellent spine development for its size, with long, preserved spines and a vibrant orange interior. Juvenile specimens with this level of spine retention are especially attractive and less commonly encountered in this condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecimen Data\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecies: Spondylus americanus (Hermann, 1781)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFamily: Spondylidae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocation: Pulley Ridge, Dry Tortugas, Florida\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDepth: 200–240 ft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMethod: Baited lobster trap\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate Collected: March 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eCollector:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRandy Rivera (personally collected) – F\/V Ava Pilar\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize: 24.8 mm (H) × 19.9 mm (W)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery good condition for a juvenile specimen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpines are well preserved with minimal breakage compared to typical trap-collected examples.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinor wear present consistent with collection method.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShipping\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShips safe and secure with careful packaging to protect delicate spines.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTortugas Shell Collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll specimens are personally collected by me and fully documented with precise locality and depth data.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDirect from the Dry Tortugas fishery to your collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tortugas Shell Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47993071370484,"sku":"552","price":325.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/8193\/3044\/files\/CB91F007-635E-401F-81B6-82B1738BC6B3.jpg?v=1775960620"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/8193\/3044\/collections\/CB91F007-635E-401F-81B6-82B1738BC6B3.jpg?v=1775961048","url":"https:\/\/www.tortugasshellcollection.com\/collections\/spondylidae.oembed","provider":"Tortugas Shell Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}