Common seashells found on a morning stroll in Sanya offer a beautiful example of handedness – or parity violation.

But it wasn't just an interesting story that won a species a coveted place among the pages of Interesting Shells. 'When you're researching a new story, you look for the weird and the wonderful.

The beautiful conch shell that calls to you is actually an octopus caravan. For these reasons, never pick up shells in the water or in tidal pools; chances are they are being used or will be shortly.

Though rare, several countries around the world, including Greece and Indonesia, are home to beautiful pink-hued ... its color from crushed pink and red shells of microscopic coral insects.

Oyster shells are bulky and plain, but the treasures they hold go beyond their tasty meat and beautiful pearls. One company in Hong Kong is turning them into materials for constructing buildings.