True Vs. Fake
The genuine Lakshmi Shank is a sinistral conch shell from the Indian Ocean, and certainly not a sinistral whelk species from Florida, USA. A true Valampuri shell is a species under the gastropod genus Turbinella L. The most common species is Turbinella pyrum L. It is important to note that only sinistral variety of Turbinell species is a true Lakshmi Shankh. This shell is rare in its occurrence. Other right-turning sea snail shells of a similar shape such as the lightning whelk Busycon perversum, are often mistakenly sold and worshiped in place of the genuine Shank. The real Lakshmi Shank has 3 to 7 ridges or plaits on its columella, whereas whelk shells does not show the presence of such plaits on its columella. The so called flower bud opening test and the rice pulling test (Valampuri said to rise up through a rice heap) are non scientific gimmicks. The best authenticity test is to take X-Ray image of the Valampuri. Valampuries show morphological variations depending on origin. Shells with mixed characters of two adjacent localities are also seen.
Read more about this topic: Dakshinavarti Shankh
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