Shell ornament in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Image: Austin Voigt

Many players may have noticed that shells seem to be worth a significant amount of Bells in Animal Crossing: New Horizons - specifically certain types of shell. In fact, we've found this to be one of the quickest and easiest ways to make a little extra cash in the game. But which shells are worth picking up, and which are just a waste of space? And what are those Summer Shells that appear in June used for?

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Shell Price Guide

Check out our complete list of shell prices for all 12 shell types, below - from highest to lowest in value - and optimize your shell-gathering shenanigans. You can even hit the 'Shell Name' header to order them alphabetically, if you like:

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Shell Name Price
Pearl Oyster 1,200 Bells
Giant Clam 900 Bells
Conch 700 Bells
Scallop Shell 600 Bells
Summer Shell (blue, only available in summer) 600 Bells
Coral 500 Bells
White Scallop 450 Bells
Oyster Shell 450 Bells
Venus Comb 300 Bells
Sea Snail 180 Bells
Sand Dollar 120 Bells
Cowries 60 Bells
Porceletta 30 Bells

Of course, shells are one of the few natural resources on your island that will respawn frequently every day - often by the hour. However, they will mean a few more trips to Nook's Cranny for selling than with most resources, as you'll find quite a few of them throughout the day.

You can also hold onto them and craft shell-based furniture once you find the recipes for these items - luckily, none of the shells are too difficult to find throughout the game, and the furniture series is quite pretty.

What do you do with Summer Shells?

Animal Crossing New Horizons Summer Shell

On 1st June 2020, blue Summer Shells debuted and with them came a bespoke set of DIY recipes. The recipes drop from balloons throughout the summer months, so be sure to pop every balloon you see.

Are you an avid shell collector, or do you prefer to make your Bells another way? Have you been crafting any of the shell furniture? Let us know in the comments!

This article is part of our Animal Crossing: New Horizons walkthrough, which includes a Complete Fish List, Complete Bug List and Complete Sea Creatures List. If you're looking for specific fish or bugs, we can tell you how to catch the elusive Coelacanth, Mahi-Mahi, Giant Trevally, Stringfish, Golden Trout and all the Sharks and Beetles, along with a full list of critters leaving at the end of the month (unless you visit Kapp'n's Boat Tour islands, of course!).

We can also help with How to Spot Redd's Fake Paintings and Statues, How to Make Bells Fast, How to Breed Flowers, How to Get more DIY Recipes, How to Upgrade Nook's Cranny, where and when to find special characters like Gulliver, Sable, Label, Wisp, Celeste, Pirate Gulliver and Jack, plus tips on using the Star Wand, Tool Ring, Rock Trick, Cutting Down and Moving Trees, using amiibo on Harv's Island, How to Back Up Your Island Data, How to Time Travel, How to Get a 5-Star Island Rating and a whole lot more.

If it's new content you're looking for help with, we can help you find gyroids, unlock Brewster's café, use the new Pro Camera App for selfies, enact new ordinances, get the beloved Froggy Chair, and even learn How to Cook.

And finally, Where to Buy Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch, if for some reason you haven't yet picked up the game, and How To Buy The Happy Home Paradise DLC, too!