sentence: All varieties have a porcelain-like shine  and many have colorful patterns.
sentences_before: The shell itself is almost always very smooth and shiny. A few species have granular shells. They have with a long, narrow, slit-like opening.
sentences_after: In life the shell is covered by the slippery mantle.
concept_name: variety
headings: Cowry Shell
categories: Gastropods Former currencies