Sand dollars, scallops and limpets can often be found as small as a dime. Sand dollars are a common beach find along the sandy shores of the northwest Pacific coast. The sand dollar is a member of the sea urchin family and can be more than three inches across or smaller than a dime. The gray or white sand dollar found on the beach is the skeleton of this unique sea creature. Many shells on the beach come from shellfish such as mussels, clams and scallops.
Mussel shells are oblong and a rough bluish black or brown on the outside.
The inside of the shell is smooth with blue and silver-white markings. They can be as small as an inch or two or as long as eight inches. Mussel shells are found as colorful polished fragments, half shells, joined halves or in clusters. 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.