Several kinds of clams inhabit Northwest coastal waters and their shells are common beachcombing booty. Pacific razor clams are oblong and grow to about seven inches. The shell has a caramel colored coating, which wears off leaving the polished white shell beneath. Cockles are clams with rounded ribs and clear growth rings. It can grow to more than five inches and can vary in color from yellow-brown to gray or get bleached white from sun and sand.
Clam shells are abundant on beaches near quiet bays and can be found along nearly all open coast.
The delicate and detailed shell of the Pacific pink scallop rarely exceeds three inches. The upper shell is most attractive with its fanlike shape, small ribs and delicate colors of pink, white, yellow or purple. The shells are thin and almost translucent. Look for these in deposits of light materials and shell bits. The giant rock scallop looks similar to the pink scallop as a free swimming juvenile, but eventually it attaches itself to a rock where it can grow up to 10 inches.