The item is a vintage-style lapel or hat stick pin featuring a real sea snail shell. 

Overview

• Type: Stick pin / lapel pin / hat pin

• Materials: A polished, textured sea snail shell paired with a metal pin and cap.

• Style: Often marketed or found as unbranded natural-element jewelry or vintage-style accessories

The underside view confirms that this accessory is a natural operculum stick pin, which features the unique "trapdoor" shell of a sea snail.

Design Details

• The Shell: This specific part is an operculum (commonly harvested from Turbinidae or turban sea snails). While the outer side displays a speckled, dark "lizard skin" texture, the smooth underside reveals a glossy, spiraled cream surface.

• The Setting: The pin mechanism attaches directly through the center of the operculum shell via a round golden bead anchor.

• Historical Context: Jewelry made from operculum shells gained massive popularity during the Victorian and Edwardian eras as novelty marine-themed souvenirs and charms.

• The estimated retail value of this natural operculum stick pin generally ranges from $20 to $45, depending on the market platform and metal composition.

  Value Breakdown

  • Base Costume Variety: If the metal pin is simple brass, copper, or low-end gold plating, pieces in identical "lizard skin" patterns frequently list and sell on marketplaces like eBay for around $20 to $30