The species differs from variegatus and venustus by the stronger cardinal teeth, the longer ligament; the sculpture is thinner than in semistriatus and covers the whole shell; the internal sides of the valves are always whitish, and never bear the purple areas that are found in the other species; finally, the pallial line and the muscle prints are hardly discernable. Externally, three pale rays can be sometimes percieved.

The colours are always pale, faded. On fresh shells, there is a thin, almost translucent periostracum. The sculpture is visible on the whole surface internally.