The Gruppo Malacologico Livornese gives these keys to identification: whitish protoconch of 1,5 whorl — 4 to 5 axial costae, without knobs, poorly elevated — spiral cords alternatively thick and thin — aperture large and oval — 6 weak labial teeth instead of the usual five in edwardsii etc.

« Shell weakly umbilicate, oval-fusiform, rather thick, without varicosities, and of a uniform dark brown. The spire is quite elongated and its top slightly obtuse. The whorls, six in number, are convex; the embryonic whorls (1 3/4) are smooth and whitish; the following, marked with numerous transverse lines, bear tubercular longitudinal ribs and are as obtusily keeled towards their median part; the last, a little larger than the spire, is attenuated at the base. The aperture, poorly developed and of an approximately oval shape, is of a uniform violet tone; the columellar margin is slightly arched; the right edge, thickened and denticulate inside, becomes sharp at its extreme limb; the terminal canal is closed and quite short. » – H. Crosse: op. cit. p.213.