Shell delicate, nine-whorled, acutely pointed ; above with a color varying from light pink to straw-color; below light cream-color, the sharp peripheral carina lighter than the rest of the upper surface; general outline from nucleus to basal periphery somewhat concave; base concavely excavated within the margin, slightly convex toward the centre; nucleus whitish, smooth; whorls gently rounded, closely appressed to the almost invisible suture and excavated in front of it; the last whorl flatter above, more rapidly enlarging at the periphery. Sculpture of small regular waves on the carina, about six in a space of 5.0 mm., giving a minutely scalloped outline; behind this a strong nodulous thread, revolving like a string of small uniform beads ; then a more slender thread more finely beaded ; in all eleven regularly alternating revolving threads at the beginning of the last whorl; this sculpture is very uniform all over the upper surface; base polished, smooth, except for two or three faint beaded lines and grooves about the pillar, and faint longitudinal and transverse growth markings; aperture nearly twice as wide as high; lower lip with a beautifully concavely arched outline, falling much behind the upper one; margin simple, except for sculpture marks; pillar short, arcuated, pearly, simple, ending in a slight point. Height of shell, 21.0; extreme width, 26.5; height of aperture, 6.0 mm.
A single specimen and a fragment of this extremely lovely shell were obtained as above. It is well distinguished from its congeners, none of which closely resemble it. The color is evenly distributed in the type, but, as in C. bairdii it is likely that the color may be more dark and pronounced in more northern localities. The marked features are the concavity of the slope of the spire and of the outer portion of the base, the polished base contrasting with the regularly beaded upper surface, and the delicately notched carina at the periphery. It is one of the most attractive species of the genus.