The protoconch consists of two spirally striate and lightly pearly whorls, sometimes reddish.

The outer lip is convex, rather thin and sharp, bordered within by an extremely narrow black margin, followed by a broad opaque white band, sometimes brilliantly iridescent.

The columella is concave, obsoletely subdentate below, very broad and flattened or excavated on the face.

It is composed principally of an opaque white layer, which also lines the base, but does not extend to the edge of the lip.

[3] This marine species is endemic to New Zealand and the west coast of South America.