<P> Operculum powder is also an important ingredient in Chinese and Japanese incense making . Here it is called "bèi xiāng" (Chinese: 貝 香; lit . sea shell fragrance) or "kai kou" (Japanese: 甲 香, lit . shell / armour fragrance) respectively . Incense producers in these countries use the operculum of many conches and other marine snails, including those found in Southeast Asia, South America, and East Africa . The opercula are traditionally treated with vinegar, alcohol and water in order to remove any fishy smell . The clean opercula are then ground to a powder and used as a scent fixative, in a technique similar to that used in perfumes with certain plant resins . </P> <P> When burnt on its own, high quality operculum reportedly smells of castoreum or other animal musks, while that of lower quality is reminiscent of burnt hair . </P> <P> The operculum of certain species of Turbinidae is sometimes used as a very inexpensive organic "gemstone" in rings, bracelets, amulets etc . These opercula are commonly known as "cats eye" (or more recently "Shiva's eye"). </P> <P> The turban snail Turbo petholatus is the species whose operculum is most widely used, although the operculum of other species of Turbo are sometimes used . The operculum is almost always given a solid setting, because it has one unattractive flat and corneous side where it was attached to the animal, and one roughly hemispherical glossy side, which, in the case of T. petholatus has a dark green area . </P>

Where do cat's eye shells come from