Jingle shells (Anomia ephippium) are not hard to find on the beaches of Florida. They can also be found from Massachusetts to Brazil according to my seashell ID book.
They have been given the nickname “Mermaid’s Toenails” and I can see why. They are wrinkled and polished looking and come in a variety of translucent colors from shades of orange to dark gray, with white and off-white being common as well.
The “jingle” part of their name comes from the fact that they make a jingling sound when a group of them is collected and shaken around in your pocket or pail. Their thinness does not mean they are fragile, in fact they are very sturdy little shells that measure around one to two inches across. The pretty variety of colors makes them perfect for display or creating crafts and they add interest in a jar of shells.
The mollusk that makes the shell usually attaches itself to something – a rock or even another larger shell – in the ocean. It also takes the form of the item it attaches to which would explain it’s bumpy appearance. Then, when the bivalve shell splits apart – for whatever reason, only one half washes up on shore. The other half is still attached to the place where it lived, or breaks since it is the thinner part of the shell. You will most likely not find a jingle shell in two parts on the beach and the part you do find is probably the left half.
Pingback: Looking For Shells That Are Out of the Ordinary – Seashells by Millhill
Pingback: Jellyfish in January – Seashells by Millhill
ileen roos
I found a great many jingle shells in Fairview, MA back in August. In fact, they were the shells that pushed me over the top of opening an etsy store where I sell jewelry made from shells. I’ve had some early success & need to make more with my arc, cockle & clam shells, but there are still several options if anyone is interested in jingle shell earrings. When I first discovered your blog, I was just an ordinary shell collector. Now I’m trying to be creative with my finds. Please check out my store & let me know what you think. By the way, I don’t like mermaid toenails as a descriptor since mermaids don’t have toes! https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShellDesignCreations
Pam
Etsy contains many stores that sell items made of seashells, and I wish you luck with your jewelry store. Selling anything online takes a lot of commitment. As for the “mermaid’s toenails” I suppose when the mermaids are washed up on shore their tails turn to legs and feet and maybe their toenails fall off when they turn back? Haha… I am reaching here!
ileen roos
Thanks Pam. I did search quite a few shops, but haven’t found other etsy sellers with similar designs to mine. I added a bunch today & will continue to do so until I run out of viable shells. It’s amazing how I’ve gone from wanting to find complete & perfect shells to shells with a hole in exactly the right place!
Pam
Isn’t it funny how sometimes shells have those holes right at the top where they should be? Have fun with your craft, and I wish you success with your Etsy store.
BlkSwan56
Thanks for the info. I just found one of these on Huntington Beach, CA, 1/27/18. I thought it was abalone since it was translucent and so different fromthe other shells I was collecting. I had no idea that they aren’t typically found on the Pacific coast. I will definitely treasure it.
Dustytoes
Congrats on your jingle shell find! I believe they are typically found along the East coast only, so if you do have one, it is rare. Do you have oysters over there on the West? Sometimes bits of oyster shells can look a lot like a jingle shell.
Pingback: Collecting Shells in the Heat of a Florida Summer | Seashells by Millhill
Timothy McLaughlin
Thank You for your article. I collect these Jingle shells and make earrings with them as gifts to people mainly. Your article would be a to include.
Brianna
I also heard that sea glass is nicknamed “mermaid tears” and so is the jem stone Aquamarine.
Dustytoes
I have heard that too – about the sea glass. Thanks Brianna!
Brianna
I heard that they also nicknamed them “mermaid scales”.
Dustytoes
Interesting – I think that makes sense too.
Pingback: Rescue Checklist. For Emergency Use Only. I Declare An Emergency. « Cripes Suzette
Clark Nicole Bedell
I was on Long Island last May. I returned home with a cigar box full of these shells. They are my favorite, and bring back a lot of chilhood memories!
Dustytoes
Lucky you! Jingle all the way 😉
Pingback: The Lure of the Mythical Mermaid | Seashells by Millhill
Karen Broderick
I just moved to Naples, Florida and there are Jingle Shells all up and down the Coast here from Marco Island to Ft. Myers. I had no idea what they were called when I first arrived here so i just called them the glass shells lol
Dustytoes
That was a good choice of names, but now you know! Thanks for reading and enjoy collecting. I am jealous 😉
Pingback: Seashell Identification: How I Got Started | Seashells by Millhill
Sharon Lovejoy
Love reading this.
Can you please tell me where the “mermaid’s toes” are commonly found.
I adore the name.
At our summer cottage in Maine we collect “mermaid’s tears,” which are small, sea sanded pieces of colorful beach glass. I treasure each piece.
Thanks for your writing!
Sharon Lovejoy
seashellsbymillhill
Hi Sharon,
thanks for viewing my blog!
I replied to your question in my post – and there are other shells on the west coast called Jingle shells, but they look different according to the pictures in my reference book. Mine were found in Florida.
Your “mermaid’s tears” sound beautiful. I don’t have any beach glass, just lots of shells!
Glad you stopped by.
Pam