Cutting Shell Products

I have seen some adverse comments on other sites regarding the selling of shell products. I tend to think of my clients as sensible people – after all you found me, so you must be!!

However, I don’t advocate cutting shell at all, as it is very dangerous. If you do, please use a very good mask or respirator, and be outside if possible.

The subway shell tiles I have recently added to the store are small…. 2.5cm x 1.25, so half the size of a standard mosaic 25mm tile. As they are only thin, I’ve done a sample score and snap (which is safer than using a diamond blade). Although only thin, they are quite tough, so take a number of runs with a snap cutter to score a DEEP groove. So, yes it can be done, albeit with some difficulty.

The other shell tiles are thin also, the comment above re scoring and snapping would apply to them also.

The Pink Mussel and black-lipped pearl pieces have some heft in them, and wouldn’t score and snap (some of the smaller pieces may). They are best used whole.

The supplier of some of these products recommended a sharp pair of scissors. I tried this too, but had to use a fair bit of force to get through them.

I have cut the willow coral into chunks using a diamond saw – and it is NOT pleasant: It stinks, and throws up a lot of dust. This is the dangerous part. Bring out the heavy duty mask, and only cut if you must.