wonderful tones and detail, but this is one object that i think would score even better if it were against a white background. just a matter of personal taste, i suppose. 7.
This is a hard image to comment on because really there is not a whole lot you can change. Your background is perfect, and the lighting is very well done. Did you try an angle shot by chance? Might have been neat to see the lines on the shell as well as actual ridges (more lines)
The shell is completely gorgeous. It's perfectly lit and exposed. There's a jewel-like quality to the piece. While I cannot think of a better treatment, the great expanses of black seem, welll, just a bit too expansive.