By Hon. Judge Moss Taterton (@foxxybites)
A shell button is a beautiful thing, lustrous as the fine snails and river creatures they’re carved from. However, they do be more delicate to care for and harder to replace than bone or wood. Take care, fine and fancy hobbits, to not boil your shell buttons, nor harshly scrub them with soap and lye. It is best to remove them before wash!
Should you forget and your button becomes dull or scabberous, a shine with oil and wax and vigorous rubbing with stiff cloth can restore some shine. Just take care you remove the button from your shirt first, lest you sacrifice the shirt to save the button!