The windowpane oyster (Placuna placenta) is a valuable marine mollusk, prized for its shells and small pearls. These shells have served as durable, translucent alternatives to glass for centuries. They’re transformed into elegant decorative items like chandeliers and lampshades and a lot more. They are known as valuable capiz shell products.
Capiz Shell Important Information
These mollusks are found in shallow waters from the Gulf of Aden to the Philippines, especially in Capiz province. They dwell in muddy or sandy shores, bays, coves, and lagoons, often at depths of up to 100 meters (330 feet).
Despite their importance, windowpane oyster populations have declined due to harmful fishing methods like trawling and blast fishing. Regulations have been implemented in the Philippines, but resource depletion continues.
Windowpane oysters have flat shells exceeding 150 mm (5.9 in) in diameter, maturing at sizes between 70 and 100 mm (2.8 and 3.9 in). They reproduce externally, with larvae resembling plankton for about 14 days. They feed on plankton by filtering water through their slightly open shell.
During low tide, the shell closes when above water. Despite their decline, these mollusks remain crucial for both marine ecosystems and human culture.
Scientific classification of the Shell
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Pectinida
Family: Placunidae
Genus: Placuna
Species: P. placenta
Binomial name
Placuna placenta
Linnaeus, 1758
Here are some of the most popular Capiz shell products:
- Curtains
- Chandeliers
- Lamp shades
- Lanterns
- Fashion jewelry
- Candle holders
- Shell tiles
- Wall panels
Capiz shell is known to be a versatile material that can be used to create a wide range of products, from fashion accessories to home decorations . Filipino craftsmen and artisans take time to come up with the best quality Capiz shell crafts/products, which are known for their elegance and style .
Capiz shell crafts are very popular not only as home decorations but also in hotels, condominiums, malls, restaurants, and different architectural buildings .
Short explanatory video about Capiz shell
Written content: Maragtas Media
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