Capiz comes from the shell of the Placuna placenta mollusk, which is native to the seas of Southeast Asia, specifically Indonesia and the Philippines. The mollusks are edible, which means fisherman can harvest them for their meat and reduce waste by reusing their shells for décor and handicrafts.
The nearly flat shells of the capiz can grow to over 150 mm (5.9 in) in diameter, reaching maturity between 70 to 100 mm (2.8 to 3.9 in). The shell is secured by a V-shaped ligament. Males and females are distinguished by the color of the gonads.
capiz. / (ˈkæpɪz) / noun. the bivalve shell of a mollusc (Placuna placenta) found esp in the Philippines and having a smooth translucent shiny interior: used in jewellery, ornaments, lampshades, etc
