Cymatiella eburnea is a small rock-whelk with a solid, broadly elongated shell, typically reaching around 20 mm in length. The shell has a pointed upper section made up of approximately five rounded whorls, gradually increasing in size towards the larger final whorl.
The shell is generally pale cream to ivory-white, sometimes with a pinkish colour around the pointed tip, although this pink colouring is not always present.
Its surface is covered in numerous fine, raised spiral ridges running around the shell. These are crossed by much weaker lengthwise ridges, creating a finely beaded appearance. The larger final whorl has approximately 15 prominent spiral ridges, with finer ridges sometimes visible between them.
The shell opening, known as the aperture, is oval with a thickened outer lip. Along the inside of this lip are approximately six small, tooth-like projections, while the inner edge has several short ridges. A short, open channel extends from the base of the opening.
- C. eburnea* closely resemblesCymatiella verrucosa, but can generally be distinguished by its paler colour, finer surface ridges and less pronounced bumps.
The combination of its pale shell, finely beaded spiral ridges, thickened opening and occasionally pink-tipped apex provides the most useful features for identification.
The pink tip is not a reliable identifying feature on its own. The finer shell ridges and generally pale colouration are more useful when comparing C. eburnea with C. verrucosa