Beaches are a treasure trove for collectors of beautiful seashells. As you walk the beach, the two best places to search for shells are the "surf line" or "trash line".

Surf Line - this is the small lip of sand formed where the waves have broken.

Trash Line - this is the high-tide line where seaweed, moss and shells are deposited.

The best time to look for rare, treasured shells is a few days after a storm.

Here are some of the most common shells:

New England Whelk

Eastern Mudsnailw

Common Periwinkle

Eastern Oyster

Common Jingle

Northern Moon Snail

Atlantic Slipper Shell

Blue Mussell

Atlantic Dogwinkle

Northern Quahog (Rhode Island state shell)

Atlantic Surf Clam

Dwarf Surf Clam

Bay Scallop

False Angel Wing

Soft shell Clam

Here are some of the Rare Treasures

(Most of these are found in deep water)

Atlantic Deep Sea Scallop

Iceland Cockle

American Pelican's Foot

New England Neptune (Massachusetts state shell)

Northern Ridged Margarite