The assorted quahog shells are a run of shells as we get them in from our supplier. These are only available when new shipments arrive and tend to be offered in lots of 100 shells or more to avoid disappointment in the randomness of smaller size orders. When we get in a large shipment, we fill existing large orders and then grade the remaining stock.
These shells are not sorted in any way, therefore, the size and degree of purple on a shell can vary significantly. The shells may also have minor edge chips.
Each shell is approximately 4" to 4.5" long and 3" to 3.5" wide and weighs approximately 129 grams.
The quahog (or quahaug) is native to the eastern shores of North America. There are specialist names for different sizes of this species of clam. The smallest clams are called countnecks, next size up are littlenecks, then topnecks. Above that are the cherry stones, and the largest are called quahogs or chowder clams. The shells have been shucked and cleaned in cold water.
This species is not endangered. The shells are a by-product of the food industry and come from sustainable fisheries.
A USFWS export permit is required for all exports outside of the U.S.