The shell is less elongated than that of Alvania rudis, but more slender than in A. hallgassi or A. scabra, with which it shares the reticulate sculpture – with the exception than the spiral cords are less numerous in clarae, and the radials a bit sinuous (not as sinuous as suggests this chipped lip).

An other difference with scabra, rudis or hallgassi is in the subsutural ramp: there is, in those three species, a spiral cord that is missing in clarae, giving the latter a more stepped outline. Pattern of sparse brownish blotches. Protoconch I with very thin spiral threads, protoconch II weakly reticulate.