George Washington Tryon stated that he had no means of knowing which has priority, but was inclined to prefer Hombron's to Adams', as it was accompanied by good figures.

Well-preserved specimens show red and emerald-green reflections through the thin layer overlying the nacre, like fiery opals.

The base of the shell is slightly convex, with a narrow spiral groove bounding a central area which is covered by a thin, radiately rugose, purple and white callus.

[2] Unlike other trochids this is primarily a filter feeder, secreting a chain of mucus on which particles are trapped and hauling it in periodically to ingest.

This marine species is endemic to New Zealand and the Chatham Islands, being most common on the east coast of Northland.